For more than five years, residents at Monroe Street have lived with the growing danger of a sinkhole in their parking lot. For one resident, Freddie Gadson, it isn’t just the risk of flooding that worries him; it’s the fear of losing the sanctuary he worked so hard to build.
Gadson first came to Broward House as a man from South Carolina, struggling with substance abuse and homelessness. As a client, he used his tidiness and creativity to prevent himself from relapsing.
“One day, one of your colleagues asked me if I’d like to give back and iron the robes, and BABY there were a lot of robes,” he says with a nostalgic twinkle in his eye.
When he first walked into his apartment, he described himself as “mind blown.” After graduating from his program and managing his substance use disorder, having a place to call his own felt like a miracle.
Stepping into Gadson’s home today, you’re greeted with polished mahogany tables, lush florals, and vibrant multicultural artwork—pieces he chose carefully to reflect his journey and identity. After years of instability, having a space of his own felt like a gift. He was especially grateful to discover that the previous tenant had left behind an immaculate living room set, new kitchenware, and a clean, welcoming space—making his transition into this new chapter feel even more like a blessing.
“I didn’t have anything, but when I came here to do the walkthrough, I was in awe,” Gadson shared. “I always knew God existed, but when I stepped into this blessing, I felt it.”
But increasing rainfall and worsening natural disasters threaten the building’s foundation, particularly the lower-level apartments where Freddie lives. He fears that one storm could take everything away.
“Our biggest concern about this location is that we may have to condemn the property in a few years due to the sinkhole affecting the structure of the foundation,” said Derron Chand, the Director of Facilities at Broward House.
Gadson believes his apartment has been spared from disasters so far by divine intervention—but even miracles have limits. If the building were to be condemned or severely damaged, he worries he would not be able to rebuild the home—and the peace—he has now.
The sinkhole has already caused flooding, vehicle damage, and slip-and-fall injuries. Without proper repair and drainage, a single major storm could cause devastating water damage and contamination in the first-floor units.
Recently, Gadson had to warn an Uber driver not to enter the parking lot. “I said, ‘No—don’t drive up in there. I don’t want anything to happen to your vehicle, either your engine or your tires.’
Our Monroe Street community deserves safety, stability, and dignity. The next major storm could lead to devastating water damage and force Freddie and his neighbors to start over again.
Your donation, no matter the amount, helps properly repair and fill the sinkhole, protects these homes, and ensures that residents like Gadson don’t lose the spaces that have helped them heal.
We’re calling on our community, partners, and supporters to come together and help us reach our $90,000 goal. Together, we can restore Monroe Street—so it remains not only a place to live, but a place to grow, rebuild, and thrive.
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