​Martha and Ronald are a hearing-impaired couple who were illegally evicted in July. Throughout the heat of summer, they lived in their car. Ronald went to work each day despite the difficulties of homelessness, and the couple was saving for a security deposit. Still, their impairments prevented them from the usual steps of securing housing. They couldn’t communicate with landlords, so they reached out to a local news station, which then contacted Community Services (CSD).

The Community Services Department strives to assist Palm Beach County residents as they navigate a path toward selfsufficiency, whether that means finding affordable housing, maintaining lights and air conditioning, or learning new skills​ through vocational training. CSD also helps individuals like Martha and Ronald, who fall through the cracks.

Sasha Lopez, a housing specialist with the Community Services Department’s SMART Landlord program, quickly used her skills. First, she found a space for the couple in a shelter. Then, she searched through hundreds of rental listings, narrowed down options, and knocked on the doors of the three most affordable homes she found. Lopez combined her skills as a housing specialist with her lived experience as a real estate agent. She went above and beyond to secure housing for the couple recently interviewed on WSVN​. They are very grateful for the help Lopez gave them.

In addition, the department’s Homeless Outreach Team, the Human Services program manager, and Taruna Malhotra, Deputy Director of Community Services, assisted the couple in receiving SNAP and other assistance, which helped provide the remaining security deposit and several months’ rent. A partner agency was able to provide car insurance, so the couple now has reliable transportation.

Daina Rocha, the news producer who initially worked with Martha and Ronald, describes how ecstatic they were to receive the help. Still, she praised the department: “I must say the Palm Beach County has gone above and beyond in Martha and Ronald’s case.”

To learn more about the SMART Landlord Program or to help fellow residents looking for housing, please visit: https://thehomelessplan.org/smart/.​