Affordable Housing

The Lee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved several items including nearly $5.4 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) grant agreements to local partners for affordable housing as well as a the widening of Corkscrew Road from Bella Terra Boulevard to Alico Road and a LeeTran Park and Ride transfer station in Lehigh Acres.

A new partnership aimed at tackling affordable housing in Collier County has formed between two Collier nonprofits.The Housing Alliance, created by organizers from the Collier County Community Land Trust and Community Foundation of Collier County, aims to be a “community hub” for information, education, and resources surrounding affordable housing in Collier.

A new apartment complex being built in Collier County will offer 30 percent of its units at below market rates — what could be good news for essential workers like law enforcement officers and teachers who have struggled for years to find rentals they can afford in Collier County.

Naples photographer Michelle Tricca is working to alter the perception of Immokalee, Florida with larger-than-life murals. “The Face of Immokalee” is an effort to honor, humanize and put a face to the people of the predominantly agricultural community.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, held a ceremony in Fort Myers Tuesday to welcome Christie Sowell and her family to their new four-bedroom home. Sowell's home was the firtst completed in the 6-acre Habitat HOA community situated between McCormick St. and Prospect Ave. that will eventually feature 29 single-family homes once completed.

A community-wide survey to gather information on what Southwest Floridians found to be the most pressing need identified affordable housing and homelessness as the top concerns.

With lawmakers on both sides of the debate pointing to a housing crisis, the Florida House on Wednesday passed a controversial bill that would lead to state law trumping local regulations governing landlords and tenants.The Republican-controlled House voted 81-33 along almost-straight party lines to approve the bill (HB 1417). Rep. Paula Stark, R-St. Cloud, joined Democrats in voting against the bill, while Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, voted for it.

Funding to champion revitalization project within the greater Dunbar community

Florida lawmakers Wednesday reached the halfway point in this year’s 60-day legislative session. The House and Senate have passed high-profile bills involving issues such as affordable housing and school vouchers, but major issues remain to be resolved.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102, also called the Live Local Act. It allocates $711 million for housing projects through the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation (FHFC). DeSantis says this is the state's largest investment ever in housing.