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Follow on Google News | Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance celebrates construction of new community at 'Wall Raising' eventNonprofit building affordable apartments for 128 families in Immokalee
By: Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance More than 100 community and business leaders participated in a "Wall Raising" event held March 1 at the construction site off Lake Trafford Road and 19th Street in Immokalee. Attendees had opportunities to hear how the new apartments will impact families who will be moving from substandard housing into quality, affordable rental apartments. "There are thousands of hardworking families – with children that go to school every day, parents that go to work every day – that deserve the opportunity to live in decent, safe, affordable housing," said Arol Buntzman, chair of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance. "The missing link for them to escape from poverty and exploitation is providing decent housing. There are no vacancies in Immokalee, so low-income families have little to no choice but to rent dilapidated facilities." Once complete, the new community will include 128 two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with a community center for meetings, after-school programs, health care assistance and more. Rent will be capped at no more than 30% of a family's income. "As the community health center in Immokalee, we are thrilled to see affordable housing come to fruition for the many families living in Immokalee because we know housing is an important social determinant of physical, mental and overall health," said Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Healthcare Network, which is partnering with the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance to enhance health care services in the new community. "There are so many things that transpire within you as a person when you first have affordable housing." Research studies have identified direct correlations between housing and health, finding those living in substandard conditions often miss more days of work or school due to illness than colleagues or classmates who enjoy better living conditions. Eleven-year- At the "Wall-Raising" To learn more about the community or to make a donation, please visit http://www.ImmokaleeFairHousing.org. End
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