by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Nicole McHale, Executive Director of Community Housing & Resources, which is Below Market Rate Housing (BMRH), the city’s housing foundation for 45 years, made its annual presentation before the Planning Commission’s Below Market Rate Housing Subcommittee on October 28.
The subcommittee consists of four Planning Commissioners: Kate Sergeant (Chair), Erika Steiner, Paul Nichols, and Lyman Welch.
McHale stated CHR’s mission, “To provide affordable housing and resources for families and individuals who serve and have served Sanibel and Captiva islands, while maintaining the economic diversity that contributes to the extraordinary culture and continued well-being of our community.”
She said 2024 was an important year for the foundation. While they were successfully raising $7 million for the new Riverview complex on Periwinkle Way, other areas needed their attention. Many A/C units had to be replaced, spray insulation had to be dealt with, appliances replaced, landscaping taken care of, and two families with disabled residents needed a lift, as well as renovations to make the home’s interior handicap accessible.
CHR lost 11 properties to Hurricane Ian; one, at Algiers, will never come back.
The city’s goal is to have 3 percent of residential housing be affordable housing. And although BMRH has never hit that number, they just broke ground on a new property, Riverview, which will bring them that much closer to the goal. It sits at 1517 Periwinkle Way, behind the 7-11 store. It will have 15 one-bedroom apartments.
City Planning Deputy Director said, “We need a new goal. Three percent is inadequate, and a study is being done.”
To be eligible for CHR housing, household members must either (a) work full-time, at least 35 hours, on Sanibel or Captiva, or (b) be retired or disabled longtime residents of Sanibel or Captiva.
The affordable housing units, all purposely located within proximity to resources such as groceries, stores, school, etc., are located at:
• Airport Way, off of Casa Ybel Road
• Beach Road, on the East end of the island
• Casa Mariposa, on Periwinkle Way, for residents 62 years of age or older
• Centre Place, off Main Street, behind Billy’s Bike Rentals
• Mahogany Way, off of Wooster Lane
• Riverview (coming soon), at 1517 Periwinkle Way
• Sanibel Highlands, on Whitehall Road
• Woodhaven, on Casa Ybel Road
• Wooster (Lake Palms), on Wooster Lane
These properties will soon receive new names and signs featuring artwork by Rachel Pierce.
Qualifying for a CHR home is a long process. It’s a two-month application process that begins after the applicant provides all required information. It then goes to CHR’s Landlord/Tenant Committee and ultimately to the City Manager for approval. Currently, 15 people are on the waiting list.
“We’re going to revamp the Limited Equity Ownership (LEO) program so individuals can understand the amazing opportunity of home ownership on Sanibel,” McHale said. There are plans for marketing, education, and even open houses.
In another service to the community, CHR is asking the City Council for a temporary waiver from the requirements of their lease with the city to allow on-duty Lee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to temporarily (for two years) operate in one of CHR’s LEO homes on Whitehall Drive (where it intersects with Casa Ybel Road).
CHR owns the building and leases the underlying land from the City of Sanibel. The terms of the lease require the parcel to be used solely for the benefit of the BMRH program, which is why a waiver is needed. The purpose of the request is to support continued emergency medical coverage during the demolition and reconstruction of Station House No. 171, an estimated two-year project.
“In consideration of the residential character of the surrounding neighborhood, the EMS team has agreed to operate without the use of sirens or emergency lights within the residential area except in cases of urgent necessity,” McHale explained. The other Whitehall residents have agreed to this plan.
“CHR plays a vital role in the resiliency of the Sanibel and Captiva business community,” McHale said, “and in the economic stability and recovery and community resilience. We are post-disaster continuity. I am very proud of where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going.”.
The city provides nearly $500,000 to CHR to make housing more accessible for those workers.
Since its inception in 1979, CHR has housed more than 1,000 people, including 225 children. At this time, there are 91 residents, including 15 children. Thirty-eight percent are classified as very low income, 49 percent as low income, and 18 percent as moderate income.
Currently, there are 67 rental units in eight locations, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. There are nine Limited Equity Ownership units. Twelve people are living in a designated senior rental complex. The average rent is $1,012, and the average annual income is $40,230. The average cost for a one-bedroom is $804, for a two-bedroom is $996, and for a three-bedroom is $1,247.
CHR has had 107 inquiries for housing for the fiscal year 2024/25.
CHR staff includes Nicole McHale, Executive Director; Bonnie McCurry, Housing Administrator; Blake Donnelly, Facilities Manager; Angela Craven, Communications Crisis Director; Anna Johnson, Executive Administrative Assistant; and Becky Boyd, Grant Writer/Development Director.
Roger Grogman is Board President, and Erika Steiner is Board Vice President.
CHR is currently working on a new five-year plan, as almost all of its 2024-2028 plan has been completed or otherwise accounted for. Their latest Annual Report will be ready for CHR’s Annual Meeting on December 1, 2025.
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