Denise Grant, Mayor, City of Lauderhill

May 2026 — Denise Grant, mayor of the City of Lauderhill, is leading a holistic agenda that links public safety, fiscal discipline and quality of life as the city grows. In an interview with Invest:, Grant discussed Lauderhill’s data-driven approach to policing, youth and senior programming, housing and green spaces that reflect the community’s identity. “Everyone wants to live with integrity, and everyone wants to have the best quality of life possible,” Grant said.

What have been some of the most interesting or exciting developments currently taking place in Lauderhill?

Since becoming mayor in 2024, I’ve been intentional about building on Lauderhill’s strengths while addressing long-standing challenges. Public safety was at the top of our agenda, so we began with a comprehensive analysis of crime in the city to understand root causes rather than just symptoms. That data-driven approach led us to strengthen our police department, add officers on the ground and make sure our budget aligned with the level of service our residents expect.

At the same time, we listened closely to residents about affordability and fiscal responsibility. One of our biggest wins was lowering the millage rate to its lowest level since 2017 without compromising public safety or core services, by repurposing funds and making sure every dollar supports our broader vision for the city.

Quality of life has also been a major focus. Lauderhill has 26 parks, and we see them as critical spaces for families, youth and community-building. We are executing a plan to renovate and upgrade all of them — from fields and amenities to programming — so families, regardless of income, can access safe, attractive spaces for recreation and support. We also have several development projects moving forward, including new single-family and multifamily housing.

One of the most transformational projects is the redevelopment of a 300-acre golf course into a housing community that residents can be proud of. As we evaluate new projects and investment, we’re deliberate about what we bring into Lauderhill. It’s not just about building more; it’s about aligning each project with our long-term vision of a safe, vibrant, inclusive city.

What specific measures has Lauderhill implemented to improve public safety?

Public safety is the foundation for everything else we want to accomplish. Our first step was to make sure our police department is strong, well-resourced, and supported. We filled gaps in staffing, ensured officers had the equipment and technology they needed and restructured patrols by dividing the city into eight areas so we can tailor resources to each neighborhood.

We also made a conscious decision to hire officers who reflect and understand Lauderhill’s culture and diversity. We are a predominantly Black and Brown community, with many Caribbean, African American and Latin residents, so cultural competence is essential to building trust. On the technology side, we invested in tools like ShotSpotter, expanded camera coverage and upgraded systems across the city.

Public safety for us is not just about enforcement; it’s also about prevention and opportunity. We recognized that many crimes were being committed by young people between 15 and 26, so we invested in programming that motivates, empowers and supports them. We reviewed every youth program in the city and updated or replaced those that were no longer relevant. New offerings focus on engagement, skills and opportunity — including financial literacy, which we see as critical because poverty often underpins negative outcomes.

Another important step was asking all 11 city departments to develop a plan related to public safety. Parks and recreation, for example, plays a role in monitoring fields for signs of gang activity, keeping facilities clean and safe and integrating programming that supports positive behavior. We also engaged a sports psychologist and expanded mental wellness programs for our student athletes, who often face intense pressure on the field and at home. Our police, fire and public safety teams are also using AI to detect patterns and anticipate potential issues.

How is Lauderhill advancing its green spaces, sustainability efforts and overall beautification strategy?

Even as an urban community, we place a high value on green space and environmental stewardship. We have moved away from single-use plastics in our city operations, including switching to boxed or more eco-friendly water containers.

Maintaining and elevating our parks and green spaces is central to our strategy. We’ve invested in upgrading irrigation systems, many of which were outdated or residential-grade, to commercial systems that can effectively support large areas and keep our landscaping healthy.

We also engage residents through semi-annual events where we give away small trees, plants and seeds, along with gardening lessons and education on sustainability. It’s about extending that culture of care into people’s homes and neighborhoods. 

Beyond the environmental benefits, we’re focused on the aesthetic: when you drive into a city and immediately feel a sense of place, warmth and welcome, that tells you something. That’s the standard we’re aiming for in Lauderhill — a clean, green environment that supports both physical and mental well-being.

How is the city approaching housing affordability?

Housing is one of the most complex and pressing issues we face. In Lauderhill, our home prices are still below the Broward County average, but many residents – especially seniors – are feeling the strain of rising condo association fees and assessments. You can have a mortgage of $3,500 and an association fee approaching $2,000 a month; when you add utilities and other expenses, it becomes unsustainable for people on fixed incomes.

Because condo associations are governed by their own rules and bylaws, many solutions must come from the state level. We are appealing to policymakers at the state and federal levels to secure more support and relief for our residents. At the same time, we are working locally with developers and investors to ensure that new projects include a meaningful share of affordable and workforce housing while still being financially viable. We’re intentional about creating mixed communities — we don’t want all affordable housing in one area, but rather a healthy balance that reflects the diversity of our residents.

We also see more working people who simply can’t afford where they live. While Lauderhill does not operate its own shelters, we work closely with Broward County, where many of those services are located, and we continue to push for more effective countywide solutions. Everyone wants to live with integrity, and everyone wants to have the best quality of life possible. Our role as policymakers is to help residents navigate those challenges and create pathways to stability.

What initiatives are you championing to support Lauderhill’s youth and seniors?

We are focused on making sure no group in our community is left behind, especially our young people and seniors. For youth, we’re striving to meet them where they are rather than trying to recreate the past. They face different pressures and a different digital environment than previous generations, so we’re designing programs that engage them on their terms while still instilling values, resilience and opportunity.

For seniors, COVID-19 was a wake-up call. Many of our older residents struggled with isolation and technology. In response, we’ve strengthened our senior programming, including a wellness and education initiative I launched in 2019 called Tea Time with Seniors. We bring them together, invite industry experts to speak on health, finance and technology and create space for connection.

Technology training has become a growing part of that effort because we don’t want our seniors to be left behind as society advances. It may take them longer to learn, but once they get it, they truly value it. Culturally, I come from a Caribbean nation where we honor our elders, and I believe many of us still hold that value. Our seniors may not always have financial wealth to pass down, but they have wisdom and experience that are every bit as valuable. Across all of these efforts, our goal is for Lauderhill to serve every segment of the community holistically – supporting health, opportunity and dignity for all.