Palm Beach County’s top administrator has reversed the denial of a six-figure federal grant to fix up the building in which South Florida’s oldest LGBTQ nonprofit operates.
County Administrator Joe Abruzzo confirmed on May 1 that he has restored Lake Worth Beach’s $308,000 request to fix the air-conditioning system and the elevator in the city-owned building on Dixie Highway and Second Avenue North that the Compass Community Center leases.
County housing officials on April 24 had denied the city’s request, saying it would run afoul of a state law Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the day before against “diversity, equity and inclusion.”
But given that the law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027, Abruzzo said, “I’m very comfortable reversing the decision and putting it (the grant request) back on schedule.” Approving the money this year would break no laws, he said.
The anti-diversity law will allow residents to sue local governments they believe are either influencing or enforcing practices giving special privileges based on race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Compass is open to all,” Abruzzo said. Granting Lake Worth Beach’s request would comply with nondiscrimination rules and guidelines from the grant’s source, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, he said.
The county administers the money, part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. It is intended to help improve areas whose incomes the federal government classifies either as “low” or “moderate.”
Palm Beach County’s elected leaders, the County Commission, must approve Lake Worth Beach’s request before the money can be spent. So must HUD.
The initial denial of the grant was based on “different interpretations” of the anti-diversity law, Abruzzo said. He did not explain why county officials interpreted the law in a way he thought of as wrong.
Compass Director Julie Seaver was happy to hear the city’s funding request was restored. “County Administrator Abruzzo is committed to do what is right and uphold the DHED (county Department of Housing and Economic Development) Mission Statement: ‘Changing lives and transforming neighborhoods into balanced communities.’ “
The department staff did not say in its April 24 email to Lake Worth Beach officials which part of the anti-diversity law they believed the grant request would violate.
Upon hearing the news about the county’s denial of the grant, and then its reversal, West Palm Beach attorney Rand Hoch urged public officials and the county residents they represent and serve to challenge Florida laws like the anti-diversity one, which he called “unconstitutional.”
“One of these days, Florida legislators will have to stand up to bigots like Ron DeSantis and say ‘Enough is enough,’ ” said Hoch, who leads the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. He said his organization stands ready to help anyone who wants to challenge these laws.
Lake Worth Beach’s request would pay for fixing “failing” air conditioning mechanical systems in the building, the city’s grant application says, as well as installing upgrades to an elevator in the building to make it comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Compass, which started in 1988 as the Stop AIDS Project of South Florida, provides low-cost HIV and AIDS medication and treatment, hosts youth groups and support groups, and hosts public events year-round. More information is available at compasslgbtq.com.
Email Chris Persaud news tips at cpersaud@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: County restores $300K grant for LGBTQ center despite anti-DEI law
Reporting by Chris Persaud, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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