COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — The affordable housing crisis was the topic of debate Tuesday at the Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners voted to change a bonus program designed as an incentive to get developers to build more modestly-priced housing units. The number of units per acre to get the bonus was increased from eight to twelve.
Community members who spoke at the meeting implored county leaders to find ways to make more affordable housing available for professionals such as teachers, nurses and firefighters.
"The housing market continues to be unattainable for so many working professionals that want to live, vote and partake in community events in the same place where they work," said Amanda Beights of the Leadership Collier Foundation.
According to Zillow.com, the median home value in Collier County is $336,000, compared to a $231,000 median for homes throughout Florida.
"A lot of commuters are coming from northern counties, because the cost of living in a comparable house in the next county over is much more affordable than it would be in Collier County," said Nikkie Dvorchak of Naples.
Commissioner Andy Solis said it's a problem he's witnessed with employees in his law firm. He said some of them have not only decided Collier County is too expensive to live there, but that the commute isn't worth the trouble either.
"If they can find something that pays as well, and is in Lee County, why would they commute?" he said during the commission meeting.
But Commissioner Donna Fiala said she has seen many available rental units vacant during tourist season, and is concerned that developers could over-build the county.
"If we put all these extra units on the market, and people are already having trouble renting out, is it really the thing to do now?" she asked.
