Solutions to Cape Coral’s affordable housing crunch

The steep increase in rental rates means many people have had to make lifestyle changes they did not plan for. While Cape Coral is now said to be working on more affordable housing, it faces logistical hurdles.

Michelle Hester has lived in Cape Coral for the last three years. Right now, she’s paying $1,750 per month for her two-bedroom apartment. But she recently got a letter from her apartment complex saying that, by November, that number will increase by more than $900.

63-year-old Hester and her 70-year-old husband are now looking for jobs. She says it’s frustrating to work your whole life and retire only to have to get another job because of rent increases. Hester says they are out of options, and she thinks local and state leaders need to put a cap on how much rent can increase within a certain timeframe.

“We feel like we’re in a bubble that’s about to explode and it’s going to be really bad and we’re not sure how it’s going to go down,” Hester said.

WINK news brought that concern to Cape Coral Councilwoman Jennifer Nelson, who says she agrees.

“We have a very good relationship with our Southwest Florida delegation, so I think it’s definitely a conversation that we can certainly start,” Nelson said. “I don’t know that our state is ready for it yet, but I think it’s something that needs to be started, for sure.”

Nelson says Cape Coral is currently working on an affordable housing project that will bring 82 units to the city for seniors living on a fixed income, and city leaders are eager to bring more projects like that for younger generations. Nelson says they are always open to listening to developers who want to propose affordable housing projects.

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