Having a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs and a stable job are things many of us take for granted. For some, this is not their reality. Now more than ever, people are struggling to find an affordable place to live. Grocery prices and bills have skyrocketed and the job market is unreliable. This can ultimately affect our physical, mental and emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. It all starts at home, and this Affordable Housing Month, we want to highlight the critical housing needs right here in our community and what the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers is doing to combat the issue.
Affordable housing is generally defined as housing in which the occupant pays no more than 30% of their gross income on housing, including rent or mortgage, utilities and insurance. This number exists to ensure that sufficient income is allocated to other necessities like food and health care.
According to the Florida Housing Coalition, in the State of Florida, approximately 2.4 million households pay more than 30% of their income toward housing. Over half of these households, or 1.3 million, spend more than 50% on housing costs.
These individuals and families are often left with impossible decisions, choosing between eating, taking care of their health or other necessities. This shouldn’t be a choice a family has to make. It isn’t just impacting families, either.
Many Lee County residents who need affordable housing are veterans, elderly individuals, young professionals and essential workers like teachers, health care staff, first responders and service workers. Housing affordability issues also often affect neighborhoods of color, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. These challenges are prevalent in every community, no matter the size. Those who are struggling are our nurses, our veterans, our teachers and most importantly, they are our neighbors.
This is where the Housing Authority comes into play. We work in partnership with our local and federal government, such as U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD), to secure funding to build additional affordable housing communities.
In the past year, the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers celebrated the grand opening of Latimer Crossing and broke ground on three new properties, including Strayhorn Place, Legacy Point and The Arwyn. Once these properties are completed, we will have a combined total of approximately 775 newly built affordable housing units to offer the community. This will include a variety of family units, mixed-income housing and units designed to support our elderly population.
When neighbors have access to safe and affordable housing in their community, they are able to focus on other areas of need, including work and long-term financial stability. This ultimately leads to improved mental and physical health and stronger school performance for children. It also allows essential workers to live closer to their jobs, reducing commute time and strengthening the local economy. By expanding access to affordable housing, we help foster environments where residents can thrive.
This Affordable Housing Month, it’s important to remind ourselves that attainable housing is the foundation to a healthy community. While the demand for housing affordability continues to be a challenge, and prices for everyday items continue to rise, we’re committed to finding solutions for this ever-evolving housing crisis.
Everyone deserves a place they can call home, and together, we can work toward expanding opportunities for those who need them.
Marcia Davis is the executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers with more than 23 years of experience in affordable housing development, community revitalization and serving residents in public housing. To learn more about the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, visit HACFM.org.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: A place to call home: Recognizing Affordable Housing Month | Opinion
Reporting by Marcia Davis / Fort Myers News-Press
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