At 76-years-old Helen Edmond didn’t have the energy or the resources to create the landscaping she wanted for her front yard. Her solution: The District 1 Home Beautification Program.

“I saw a big sign posted near the Landmark Learning Center about the program and I decided to apply for it," said Edmond, who has owned her home for 38 years. “After they went through my application the work got started and it was done in about two weeks.”

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan greeted Edmond as well as other Miami Gardens residents on July 20 when she inspected renovations made to the outside their homes.

“As the price of home construction materials escalate, beautification projects such as this one helps defray expensive costs that the elderly and underprivileged cannot afford,” said Jordan, who is running for reelection Aug. 14 and whose main challenger is Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson. “The facade and landscaping upgrades to these homes would not have been possible without the assistance of this program.”

The beatification program was implemented by Jordan in 2005 and only catered to homes in a section of Oarlock, but last year the commissioner expanded the program to all of District 1.

In order to qualify for the program, the applicant must be a District 1 resident, and own and live in a single-family home, and cannot own investment properties.

Through the program, homeowners may qualify for up to $5,900 to have the exterior of their home painted and front yard landscaped.

“They planted flowers and some trees –they just made it very nice,” said Edmond, whose landscaping totaled $1,975. “They gave me what I asked for. I wanted more greenery because it’s easier to keep up with. I just have to trim it a little bit.”

Edmond, who shares her home with her grand-daughter and great grand-daughter, said she was glad to see local government help not only her home, but her community.

“I don’t mean this negatively. It’s nice to see my tax dollars at work,” she said.

To apply for the District 1 Home Beautification Program visit www.miamidade.gov/services or call the Miami Gardens Community Action Agency at 305-623-6500.