The Collier Board of County Commissioners will discuss housing affordability when it meets on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The discussion is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and will be held in Collier BCC Chambers.

Commissioners are expected to receive a presentation from county staff and hear from stakeholders about how to address housing affordability in Collier County.

Look for them to primarily talk about ways to fund the local Housing Trust Fund and distribute $20 million allocated as part of the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax.

Want more details? You can find more information about the proposals before Collier Board of County Commissioners here: https://tinyurl.com/3xw2w54z

CALL TO ACTION: Email the Collier Board of County Commissioners to tell them why housing affordability is important to you, and request they hold a workshop with community stakeholders to discuss solutions to this critical community issue. Here’s how:

1. Download the email template to commissioners
2. Personalize the email to explain why housing affordability is important to you and/or your business
3. Copy and paste your email into the body of an email, and visit the Chamber’s website to find contact information for commissioners and their aides.
4. Hit send! If you’re sending an email to all commissioners, make sure to BCC them to limit their chances at replying all!
5. BONUS ROUND: Make sure to tell us if you’ve reached out to commissioners, either by blind copying me on the email or forwarding it after you send.

• WHERE WE STAND: The Greater Naples Chamber has identified housing affordability as a top public policy priority. We regularly hear from employers that access to affordable housing is a barrier to attracting and retaining a talented workforce. For more information about our position, visit www.napleschamber.org/wherewestand.

 IN THE NEWS

• Lack of affordable housing leaves many Southwest Florida jobs unfilled via WINK News
• Florida receives an additional $740 million for an emergency rental assistance program via WUSF Public Media
• Agencies fear legislators could cut affordable housing funds via South Florida Business Journal
• Florida’s west coast led the emerging housing markets index via Wall Street Journal
• Why your rent is going up via Axios

 RESOURCES

• Collier County residents experiencing sudden, high rent increases that could result in a change of housing or homelessness are encouraged to apply to the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.
  • What is it? The ERA can help qualified renters pay back rent, future rent, utility fees and offer other housing stability services, such as legal fees or security deposits.
  • Who is eligible? Applicants must prove their income doesn’t exceed 80% of the average median income ($60,750 for a family of three), experienced financial hardship related to COVID-19 outbreak; at risk of housing instability; and be Collier residents.
  • You can find more information here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8sxd5k

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