Sixteen families in Immokalee are starting a new chapter as a new housing community on the northwest corner of Lake Trafford Road and North 19th Street officially opens its doors.
The Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance celebrated the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting the completion of 16 two- and three-bedroom apartments.
For many families, this new housing is more than just shelter. It’s a chance for stability after years of struggling. "It’s been a long journey for us," said Maria Soto, one of the new residents. "I just want to say thank you to everybody who made it possible for us to move in."
The new apartments are part of a larger effort to provide safe and affordable housing in the area. The buildings are designed not only for comfort but also for safety. The development was planned in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which left many Immokalee residents homeless in 2017.
"All of the buildings were engineered to withstand a force five hurricane, 155 mph. The walls are reinforced concrete. We have steel on the floor between the first and second floors. Hollow core concrete, steel reinforced sprinklers. So it's a safe building," said Dr. Arol Buntzman, chairman of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance.
Not only are they sturdy, they're affordable.
Rent for these apartments starts at $775 a month and is based on income, capped at 30% of household income. This affordability is crucial for people like Jean Santana, who used to live on the streets. "Today is a special day for me. I now have a house to sleep in with my family," Santana said.
The Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance has plans to construct eight more buildings in the community, with the next one set to break ground in September. Plans also include a community center for meetings, after-school programs, and health care assistance, as well as an on-site soccer field and playground for children.