Health & Human Services Committee
The Need For Affordable Housing: Through Shelter We Empower
Company: Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County
Speaker: Bernard Godek, CEO
About the Company:
Housing instability — including frequent moves, overcrowding, and the threat of eviction or foreclosure — creates stress, depression and hopelessness for far too many families.
Adults living in housing that they struggle to afford often describe themselves as less healthy, and the well-being and development of of children is compromised by living in insecure housing.
Families paying a percentage of their income for housing often find themselves making impossible choices. Rent or health care? Food or transportation?
A decent and affordable place to live helps families break this cycle and find new opportunity, increased confidence and self-reliance. A family’s partnership with Habitat means they have a stable place to live and spend time together. An affordable mortgage means they have a chance to create savings and invest in their education. A decent roof over their heads establishes home as a place that protects — instead of endangers — their health.
Habitat works with families to help them acquire the skills and financial education necessary to be successful homeowners. By partnering with us, families seize the opportunities represented by decent, affordable housing.
About The Speaker:
Bernard ‘Bernie’ Godek currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County where he has served in that position since 2007. Bernie has served as an advisor on numerous affordable housing counsels and committees in Palm Beach County. Prior to his time with Habitat, Mr. Godek served as an Associate Superintendent of Business Operations for both Prince William County Public Schools and Roanoke City Public Schools in Virginia. Previous to his time in public education he served as Vice President of Quality Plans and Programs for UXB International Inc, an international environmental restoration company. Prior to that Bernie served in the U.S. Army and retired in 1997 at the rank of Colonel after 21 years of distinguished military service. His last assignment included time in the Pentagon where he served as a military assistant to the Secretary of Defense. Bernie and his family reside in Wellington.
Health and Human Services
The Health and Human Services Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00p.m. at varying locations. Visit the Health and Human Services Committee webpage for more information here.
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