Over the past six (6) months South Florida rental home prices have skyrocketed by as much as 31.5% from the normal 3% - 5% annual increase that Floridians have become accustomed to. Due to this rent increase, many residents are losing their homes as they are finding it harder and harder to be able to pay their rent and keep up with their other household expenses at the same time like food and electricity.
After seeing how this increase has affected many families in South Florida, award-winning rapper Kodak Black and the Zachariah McQueen Foundation decided to team up to pay the rent of twenty-eight (28) families living in the Merry Place Housing Projects in West Palm Beach, FL, that were facing eviction. Through this act of kindness, these families’ rents will be paid off in full for the remainder of the year, covering all previous late fees and the months of October, November, and December, allowing them the opportunity to celebrate the holidays without worrying about how they will be able to keep a roof over their heads.
“When people get up and go to work daily, they should be able to come home and relax without worrying if they would have a roof over their head the next month. But unfortunately, we live in a society where people can barely get a raise at work, but can be told that their rent has increased by over $1000 without any real warning. That’s just not right,” says Kodak Black. “I am truly blessed, and I have always had the mindset that my purpose is to bless others. So as long as I can, I will continue to bless others and give back to my community.”
Kodak Black is no stranger to giving back to his community. Over the past few years, Kodak has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charitable endeavors including but not limited to donating air conditioner units in the middle of summer to families living in the Golden Acres Housing projects, donating $10,000 to the Jack and Jill early childhood education center, donating money to provide gifts for 150 young children attending Paradise Childcare in Broward County, donating money to the families of and create a scholarship fund in memory of the students who lost their lives in the massacre that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and donating funds to the families of South Florida police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Last June (2021), Kodak Black received a proclamation from Broward County’s previous mayor, Mayor Dale Holeness for all of his charitable contributions throughout the county.
This year Kodak Black commemorated the day by creating Kodak Black Day, the first of its kind carnival-style music festival in his hometown of Pompano Beach, FL where 5,000 people gathered to celebrate Kodak Black and enjoy performances from him and other popular artists like Money Bagg Yo, French Montanta, Yungeen Ace, FCG Heem and more.