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Affordable Workforce Housing Update and

Habitat - Collier’s Role

by Joe Trachtenberg
hree years have passed since They build and repair our homes and cars, and care for our daily
Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) needs. They are our policemen, firefighters and EMT’s. Most
T sponsored a well-attended forum would not qualify for conventional mortgages, due to their modest
on the affordable workforce housing crisis in wages and the lack of affordable homes in our market.
Naples. While there’s little doubt shining a Each prospective family must undergo an exhaustive
light on this critical problem got our county application process. To qualify families must earn no more than
commissioners’ attention, the essence of the 80% of the Area Median Income. They must be citizens or legal
problem remains in place. residents of the US, be employed and have lived or worked in
In the past three years several projects have been approved, Collier County, and be able to pay our unique interest-free
although the majority of the beneficiaries are the more highly mortgage.
paid workers. HUD’s definition of affordable housing ends at In its 48 years of existence, Habitat – Collier has completed
80% of Area Median Income (“AMI”). The County has elected 14 communities. Several new ones are underway. A critical
to extend the definition to include so-called “moderate income” component is the donated labor by thousands of volunteers
workers, up to 120% of AMI. and the required volunteer building hours of all prospective
There is one local organization which, by definition, builds homeowners.
housing for the most vulnerable of our essential workers – and Habitat – Collier maintains a four star rating from Charity
these homes are owned and not rentals. Navigator. $.94 of every donated dollar is used to acquire land,
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County was created in build homes and serve families.
1978. Since that time it has provided homes to more than 2,700 If housing is meaningful to you and you recognize the
families, and 6,700 children. importance of getting it right, with the most basic of our human
There are 1,200 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the needs, Habitat – Collier needs your support. For more info, please
United States. Only five build more than 50 homes per year. connect with Habitat CEO Lisa Lefkow to learn more.
Habitat – Collier consistently builds 90 - 100 homes per year, Joe Trachtenberg is past chairman of the Collier County
and is the largest affiliate in the US. It is among the largest Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. He is a board member
home builders in our county. of Habitat for Humanity – Collier County and of Greater Naples
Habitat Collier homeowners buy their homes, and are often Leadership.
the hardest working members of our workforce. They work in
our schools, our healthcare institutions, and our restaurants.

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