Southwest Florida Home Coalition

10/13/2025

🏗️ With materials, labor, and land getting more expensive than ever, the rising costs of construction can make housing unaffordable.

As construction costs climb, prices rise for everyone. Every dollar matters because the cost of building today determines whether families can find a home in their budget tomorrow.

🏠 That’s why part of our work is advocating for innovative solutions and partnerships that keep housing development possible and affordable.

10/06/2025

In Southwest Florida, the cost of housing isn’t just about rent or mortgage payments. Insurance is a huge part of the equation.

For many families, it’s becoming the breaking point.
When property insurance premiums rise, landlords pass those costs on to renters, and homeowners face higher monthly bills. That means fewer people can afford a safe, stable place to live.

Our coalition is working toward a future where 80% of people in SWFL have housing and transportation that cost less than 45% of their income by 2040.

To get there, we need to continue shining a light on the hidden costs of housing, such as insurance.

Have you or someone you know struggled with rising insurance costs? Share your story in the comments!

09/29/2025

They cook your food. They ring up your groceries. They stock the shelves, clean the rooms, and answer your calls.

They are the backbone of our local community, and yet, they can’t afford to live here.

8 out of 10 most common jobs in Southwest Florida do not pay enough to afford a modest 1-bedroom rental. And none make enough to afford a median-priced home.

Stop thinking this crisis only affects “other people.” They’re our people, our neighbors, and our workforce. We need housing choices that reflect what people actually earn.

09/22/2025

With two full-time professionals, their combined income can be approximately $150,000/year (which is about 130% of AMI in Collier County).

So, why are they still renting?

Even if they have good credit and no debt, the average home in Collier County costs $800,000 — and that’s more than $200,000 above what they can reasonably afford.

09/15/2025

A sheriff deputy earns an average of $76,000/year. In Collier County, this would be considered low income.

No wonder teachers, nurses, and even sheriffs can’t afford to live where they work.

In Southwest Florida, home prices have outpaced wages. Even “moderate-income” earners face a $50,000 - $100,000 affordability gap.

Our economy depends on this work, so it’s time our housing market made room for them.

09/08/2025

🤔 Think you can afford housing on a Southwest Florida wage? Let’s see…

💼 Job: Customer Service Rep
💰 Wage: $17.85/hour
🔑 Budget: $860/month

Is it possible to find a one-bedroom apartment using the job breakdown above? Swipe to see how different jobs stack up.

09/01/2025

Teachers, firefighters, EMTs: These are the jobs we count on every day. But they can’t find homes that fit their budgets because the housing prices have skyrocketed.

At 80% of the area median income (around $52,000/year for a single person), the monthly rent should be no more than $1,300 to remain affordable.

However, median rents often exceed $1,800 per month, putting housing out of reach for many in Southwest Florida.

If these workers can’t afford to live here, who can?

08/26/2025

Working as a full-time home health aide or preschool teacher should cover more than just rent. But in Southwest Florida, half of our workforce earns less than what’s needed for even modest housing.

At 50% AMI (around $30,000/year for a single person), the maximum housing cost is $800/month. That doesn’t get you far in today’s market.

In fact, our region faces a shortage of more than 25,000 housing units for households in this income range alone.

08/19/2025

What does 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) look like in real life?

You could be washing dishes, cleaning rooms, or caring for others, but you are still barely scraping by.

You may have worked your whole life and are now living off of Social Security.

At 30% AMI in Southwest Florida:
💰 You earn about $18,000 - 20,000/year
🔑 You can afford ~$500/month for housing

You’re working full-time and still can’t afford a studio apartment, where rent can start at $1,200+/month.

Simply put, Southwest Florida needs more housing choices for every budget.

07/23/2025

We’re on the news! WINK News featured the Southwest Florida Senior HomeShare project and why your voice matters in shaping it: https://youtu.be/BEqexC2zz6g?si=CSLOTUmfzw6NaZIl

Are you 55 or older? We’re launching a new initiative to help match homeowners with people looking for affordable housing. But before we launch, we need to hear from you.

Take the survey to help us understand what really matters in a home-sharing arrangement. Your lived experience will help shape the program so it truly meets the needs of seniors in our community.

In 2022, 20% of homeowners and 42% of renters over age 55 were cost-burdened. It’s time to change that.

Take the survey at https://forms.office.com/r/XbSSndAbZJ

A new initiative in Southwest Florida is launching a home-sharing program to tackle the housing challenges faced by senior citizens.

07/16/2025

Meet the force behind the Affordable Homeownership Foundation, Lois Healy!

From banker to counselor to nonprofit leader, Lois has spent her career fighting for safe, stable, affordable housing for all—especially for veterans, seniors, and working families.

07/10/2025

📣 Introducing SWFL Senior HomeShare!

We’re matching seniors who have extra space in their homes with fellow seniors who need a safe, affordable place to live. Together, we’re reducing housing costs and social isolation—one shared home at a time.

🏠 Learn more by contacting Jessica at [email protected]