EDITOR’S NOTE: The Santiva Chronicle publishes opinions and letters on topics that are important to Sanibel and Captiva. They may be submitted via e-mail at news@santivachronicle.com.
Affordable housing provides fundamental stability to a community. Hurricane Ian has eliminated those homes and rentals that our workforce and seniors could afford. Our islands are dependent on the medical, police, firefighters, teachers, skilled labor, postal and hospitality workers. They are the backbone of the community. Our island seniors are the pioneers who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the community and now need our help.
Employees spend 30-50% of their income on housing alone. That puts them as rent burdened and in many cases severely rent burdened category (according to Waller, Weeks and Johnson rental index). CHR Community Housing Resources provides that assistance. CHR is faced with many challenges, repairs to existing buildings, loss of 11 units, and high insurance premium and deductible. Community Housing Resources has been in service since 1979 and will ;/continue to fulfill our mission.
Nicole Decker-McHale
CHR Executive Director
How can the broader community help CHR. While many are similarly burdened, perhaps there are ways that we can help. Share a room in our homes, until things are available?