Page 54 - LIN_December 2022

JOE TRACHTENBERG, Chair of Collier County's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

AFFORDABLE

HOUSING HURRICANE IAN

TURNS US UPSIDE DOWN

’m writing this story exactly four weeks after the worst hurricane in been called “worthless” by these developers. The County’s Affordable
history struck Southwest Florida. Unlike prior storms, when roofs Housing Advisory Committee (“AHAC”) has urged for these rules be
Ieverywhere were covered with blue tarps, this time we got to expe- rewritten, to align the period of deferral with the time the properties
rience how much more damaging—even deadly—the wrath of a storm will be maintained as affordable. To date this discussion has not been
surge could be. In fact we got to see the full fury of Mother Nature, scheduled.
who delivered this wall of seawater and mud at the height of high tide. Other cities and counties in Florida are successfully building afford-
For a long time I’ve been talking about the affordable housing able housing. We can too, with the support of our county leaders.
crisis in Collier County. I’ve described the plight of 45,000 of our A very important community forum has been scheduled for
workers having to commute here daily from their homes, primarily January 11, 2023 at 3:00pm—it’s free and open to the public. The
in Lee County. This storm wiped out so many of these homes, leaving sponsors are Greater Naples Leadership, Naples Community Hospital,
their occupants desperate and destroying billions of dollars in prop- the League of Women Voters, Collier Community Foundation and
erty while taking over a hundred lives. others. It’s going to be held at NCH’s Telford Auditorium. Speakers
Collier and Lee Counties now must rebuild. Apartments rented will include employers and employees from all of our business seg-
at climbing market rates are now in short supply, but developers are ments. The affordable housing crisis is already affecting our quality
poised to move in with more $3,000–4000 and higher, monthly rental of life. We all need to learn what’s in store for our future if nothing
units. What do we need to do to attract developers of affordable hous- is done quickly to address these issues. Details on how to attend are
ing units for our teachers, nurses, and restaurant workers, and all the available at gnlwebsite.org.
other essential workers who support our complex economy?
Is it finally time for our elected officials to make significant moves What do we need to do to attract developers
toward solving these problems? I wish I could report they’ve seen the of affordable housing units for our teachers,
light. While our shelters are overflowing with folks who have lost nurses, restaurant workers, and all of the other
everything, it’s unclear what action might be taken which will provide essential workers who support our economy?
some long term future benefits.
In 2018 Collier voters approved a referendum that created a 1% surtax
for five years. It is expected that $490 million will be raised, $20 million
of which would be allocated to land purchases for workforce housing.
None of these funds have been spent—our county leadership has yet
to approve procedures for its use.
In 2019 $29 million was spent to purchase the Golden Gate Golf
Course. Nearly half of this amount was contributed by three of our
most important charitable foundations, in recognition of their per-
ceived urgent need for affordable housing. A developer was selected to
build 350-400 affordable units. To date not a single shovel has touched
the ground.
Collier County has among the highest impact fees in the state. Its
current “deferral program” for developers of affordable housing has

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY FORUM
January 11, 2023 at 3:00pm I NCH’s Telford Auditorium I FREE and Open to the Public I Visit gnlwebsite.org for additional information
Sponsored by Greater Naples Leadership, Naples Community Hospital, the League of Women Voters, Collier Community Foundation and others.
Speakers will include employers and employees from all of our business segments. The affordable housing crisis is already affecting our quality of life.
We all need to learn what’s in store for our future if nothing is done quickly to address these issues.

54 Life in Naples December 2022