Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF)

Give Miami Day is almost over but there's still time to make an impact. We need your help to reach our funding goal.

Your support is so important to us and we thank you if you have already donated. For everyone else, we hope you will consider making a donation of any size. It is through the collective kindness of the community that we are able to reach our goal and continue to provide our important services to South Florida.

https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf



https://nhssf.org/

Too many hardworking families in South Florida believe homeownership is out of reach. With rising housing costs and limited access to reliable guidance, families are stuck renting, overpaying, or worse—being priced out of their neighborhood.

Our mission is to help South Floridians achieve long-term economic stability by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to make informed housing choices—whether renting, purchasing their first home, or maintaining ownership. At a time when affordable housing is out of reach for many, NHSSF stands as a trusted guide and advocate, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of building generational wealth and secure, thriving communities.

Your support helps us to continue providing these important services to South Florida Communities.

💛 $25: Provides a family with a homebuyer readiness assessment

🏡 $50: Covers one hour of housing counseling for a first-time buyer

🌱 $100: Supports a full credit and budget coaching session

🔑 $250: Sponsors a family through the 8-hour homebuyer education workshop and counseling session

🌟 $500+: Empowers a household from counseling to closing—giving them the tools to become first-time homeowners

Please Donate Now! https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf



https://nhssf.org/

Give Miami Day is here!

Community donations on Give Miami Day are more than just financial contributions—they’re a powerful expression of collective belief in our purpose.

Each gift, no matter the size, represents a vote of confidence in our organization’s mission and impact. With matching funds and bonus pools available, donations on this day are amplified, allowing us to stretch every dollar further and fund critical programs, such as homebuyer education, financial literacy workshops, or housing counseling services.

We hope you will support us on this Give Miami Day. Your contribution is so important to our organization and truly makes a difference by directly impacting the community.

https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf

Our mission is to help South Floridians achieve long-term economic stability by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to make informed housing choices—whether renting, purchasing their first home, or maintaining ownership. At a time when affordable housing is out of reach for many, NHSSF stands as a trusted guide and advocate, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of building generational wealth and secure, thriving communities.

Community support is essential to us and right now YOU can make a difference to our organization. Just a small donation directly impacts our work and helps us to continue our important work in South Florida.

Please consider supporting NHSSF by making a tax-deductible donation today:
https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf

Over the last three years, NHSSF has counseled more than 1,500 clients and helped produce over 200 new homeowners in our community.

Over the past two years, we have completed weatherization improvements on more than 230 homes across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. These upgrades reduce the financial burden of high utility costs while also promoting healthier indoor environments—especially important for seniors, families with young children, and individuals with health conditions.

No fluff. Just impact. Every dollar drives direct impact.

💛 $25: Provides a family with a homebuyer readiness assessment

🏡 $50: Covers one hour of housing counseling for a first-time buyer

🌱 $100: Supports a full credit and budget coaching session

🔑 $250: Sponsors a family through the 8-hour homebuyer education workshop and counseling session

🌟 $500+: Empowers a household from counseling to closing—giving them the tools to become first-time homeowners

Give Miami Day is on Thursday but you can donate now and help us reach our goal and continue our mission:
https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf

Give Miami Day is a powerful force for good, helping nonprofits expand their reach and deepen their impact. When our community comes together to give—even in small amounts—it sparks a chain reaction of generosity that drives meaningful, lasting change throughout Greater Miami.

Give Miami Day is on Thursday but early giving has begun. We hope you will consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us reach our goal. https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf

Your support means so much and it is through the generosity of people like you that we are able to continue our mission and provide our services to the South Florida community such as:

One on One Counseling for Homeowners
One on One Counseling for Renters
8-Hour Homebuyer Certification Workshops
PHCD Housing Counseling and Financial Fitness Counseling
Financial Capability Coaching
Rehabilitation of Housing to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards
Weatherization of Housing

To donate, please visit:
https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/nhssf

NHSSF will be completing exterior painting on a home in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. This beautification work is part of our initiative to revitalize communities and help homeowners preserve the value of their home.
For more information, visit: https://nhssf.org/community.../beautification-program/

As part of our commitment to revitalizing the community, on Thursday, September 18, we will be working alongside The Home Depot and volunteers to beautify another property in Fort Lauderdale.

The work will include landscaping and exterior painting. This type of maintenance helps to preserve the value of the home which, in turn, increases the likelihood of the resident retaining ownership.

NHSSF has been beautifying homes throughout the community in an effort to promote generational wealth through homeownership.

https://nhssf.org

Living in South Florida means dealing with high temperatures and humidity, which can drive up electricity costs. Here are some smart ways to cut down on your electric bill:

• Optimize your thermostat: Set it to 78°F when you're home and 82°F when you're away. Every degree below 78°F can increase your bill by 5%.
• Use fans wisely: Ceiling fans help circulate air, making rooms feel cooler without lowering the thermostat.
• Maintain your AC: Change air filters monthly to keep your system running efficiently.
• Block the heat: Close blinds or use blackout curtains to reduce indoor temperatures.
• Unplug unused devices: Electronics still draw power when plugged in, even if they're off—this is known as phantom energy.
• Wash clothes in cold water: Heating water for laundry adds unnecessary costs.
• Lower your water heater temperature: Set it to 120°F to save energy.
• Consider solar panels: Florida’s sunshine makes solar energy a great long-term investment.

Want more personalized savings tips? Florida Power & Light offers a free Home Energy Survey to help you identify ways to cut costs.

FPL Onsite Energy Survey
https://www.fpl.com/save/programs/onsite-energy-survey.html
FPL Online Energy Survey
https://www.fpl.com/save/programs/online-energy-survey-new.html

Established in 1978, NHSSF is a 501(c)(3) chartered member of the NeighborWorks® network. We are amongst a nationwide network of around 250 trained and certified community development organizations at work in more than 4,400 communities across America.

NHSSF provides a full spectrum of homeownership services in English, Creole, Spanish, and French to assist potential homebuyers in reaching their homeownership goals.

Learn more about how we can help you achieve your dream of homeownership: https://nhssf.org/

NHSSF offers free online certified Homebuyer Education classes.

Attending a homebuyer education course can be a game-changer for anyone stepping into the world of real estate for the first time.

Completion of a homebuyer education course may also qualify you for financial assistance that you can use towards the purchase of your home.

To learn more about our program and to view our schedule of upcoming classes, visit:
https://nhssf.org/center-for-homeownership-education/

Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida is a proud member of the NeighborWorks network.

Preparing for hurricane season is critical for homeowners in South Florida due to the region's high vulnerability to storms.

Hurricane season in South Florida runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October.

South Florida experiences hurricanes almost every season, with storms like Hurricane Ian and Irma causing billions in damage.

Hurricanes bring storm surges, heavy rainfall, and extreme winds, which can destroy homes, uproot trees, and cause prolonged power outages. Without proper preparation, homeowners risk severe property damage, financial loss, and personal safety threats.

Many homeowners don’t realize that standard insurance policies often don’t cover flood damage. Reviewing policies, securing adequate coverage, and documenting valuables can make post-storm claims easier and ensure financial protection. Proper insurance preparation can help homeowners recover more quickly in the aftermath of a hurricane.

In addition to securing homes, South Florida residents must prepare evacuation plans. Some storms require mandatory evacuations, and knowing your zone ahead of time can save lives. Establishing a clear emergency plan, including identifying evacuation routes and shelters, is crucial to staying safe during severe weather events.

The devastating 2024 hurricane season showed how unprepared communities suffered the most. Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton caused over $121 billion in damage across the Caribbean and U.S. This underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to secure homes, stock up on supplies, and stay informed.

Here are some essential tips to help homeowners prepare:

• Secure Your Home: Install impact-resistant windows and doors, reinforce garage doors, and use storm shutters or plywood to protect windows.
• Stock Up on Supplies: Have at least a week's worth of bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
• Prepare for Power Outages: Test and service generators, charge portable power banks, and keep extra fuel safely stored.
• Review Insurance Policies: Ensure your homeowners and flood insurance are up to date, as standard policies often do not cover flood damage.
• Document Your Property: Take photos and videos of your home and valuables to simplify insurance claims after a storm.
• Know Your Evacuation Zone: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and shelters in case of mandatory evacuations.
• Store Important Documents Safely: Keep copies of insurance policies, medical records, and property deeds in a waterproof, fireproof container or cloud storage.

Given South Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes, early preparation is essential for homeowners to minimize risk and stay safe during hurricane season.

We hope you found this information helpful and that you will use it to protect yourself, loved ones and property during the next hurricane.