Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties

SOUTHWEST REGION
$8.8 million FCLF financing (5 loans)
Land acquisition & predevelopment loans
615 affordable homes for ownership

“With FCLF’s partnership, we can move from building affordable housing on scattered lots to developing communities where families in need of affordable housing can thrive, help each other, enjoy a higher quality of life, and have access to additional services. In the long run, this partnership will help us serve more families, more efficiently.” – Becky Lucas, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties

The need for decent, affordable homes in Southwest Florida continues to increase. In 2016, the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area was the number 1 rent-burdened area in the country, with a 29% spike in average monthly rental costs. As one of the first affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has addressed this need for over 30 years, with over 1,400 homes provided.

Florida Community Loan Fund has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties since 2010. Financing for land acquisition and pre-development costs have helped families break the chains of poverty through homeownership in the following communities:

Rosemary Park, Bonita Springs. The Garcia family (pictured) was living with relatives in a cramped 16x16-foot trailer – a total of seven people. Now in their Habitat Home, the Garcias are enjoying the freedom of owning their own home in Renaissance at Rosemary Park in Bonita Springs, a community of ten homes.
Majorca Palms, Fort Myers. Majorca Palms is a planned unit development of 150 twin villa rental units in east Fort Myers, started in 2005 by a private developer. With infrastructure for the project fully completed, only 60 units were done when the project fell into bankruptcy. With financing from FCLF, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties purchased the development in October 2013, with plans to build 42 single-family homes on the remaining lots, and ultimately offer the rental villas for purchase. With two different home types, Habitat will be able to address homeownership for families with varying low incomes.
Tice Road Development, Fort Myers. A 60+ acre parcel of land will soon be the site of 200 to 220 single family homes for new homeowners. This is a continuation of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties' strategy to purchase tracts of land and develop affordable subdivisions, rather than relying on single home sites as they become available.
North Diplomat Community, North Fort Myers. Purchase of this 39+ acre parcel of land will enable Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties to build 133 homes for low- and very low-income Habitat homeowners. Northeast of downtown Fort Myers, these homes will have easy access to major roads and businesses, including a nearby VA clinic.
Heritage Heights, Fort Myers. A 26-acre parcel of land will be transformed into a community of 150 new, affordable homes for Habitat homeowners. With a focus on building neighborhoods – rather than just houses – Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties obtained financing from FCLF for infrastructure construction. The area has easy access to major roads with an elementary school and soccer field nearby.

For more information, visit www.habitat4humanity.org

Pictured above and below: sample homes completed by Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties.

View more photos of Habitat for Humanity of Lee & Hendry Counties on FCLF's Flickr Page.