Reverend Mike Butler led a prayer before the ribbon was cut and the doors swung open for a new affordable housing complex in one of Collier County's most economically disadvantaged areas — Immokalee.
"As we gather to celebrate this milestone ... we thank you for all those you've called to the vision of providing safe, affordable housing here in Immokalee," Butler said.
More than 150 people gathered recently to witness the long-awaited housing development's inauguration. Among them was Maria Paiz, a wife and mother of four, who shared her journey to securing a new home.
"I actually got a call from the person that did the applications, and when she told me, I was just in disbelief. Before, we had tried to buy a house three separate times," Paiz said. "But this grand-opening day is something big for us because for the last six and a half years, we've been at my parents' house. Now, having our own place means a lot."
While some of her children explored their new home, testing light switches and checking out kitchen appliances, her daughter marveled at the size of the closets: "At our place, we had to share one closet, and it’s basically crowded and full. This one is spacious—I only have to share it with my little sister.”
In the living room, Paiz' husband Carlos stood quietly, holding his youngest son. He shared how the milestone filled him with hope for the next generation.
"I never had a father that raised me, and it just shows my kids that I will never give up on them," he said. "It's me showing them that I can do it. Yeah, I might need some help, but I just keep going forward.”
Arol Buntzman, CEO of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, reflected on the project's origins six years ago: "Everybody recognized that there was a shortage of safe, affordable housing in Immokalee. There had been for decades, and Hurricane Irma made the situation that much worse.”
Out of more than 200 applicants, 44 families will be moving in during this round.
"The team that worked on it prioritized working families and children that live in the worst conditions, paying the highest rents," Buntzman said.
He added that this complex is the first of eight resilient apartment buildings designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
The project has already raised more than $10 million and will continue to fundraise as more developments arise.
"Next month, the second building will start. We've already raised the funds and have the pledges for the third building," Buntzman said, pointing out the window to the site of a future playground. "If they haven't already delivered the equipment, they'll be delivering it this coming week. So by the time the families move in, there's a safe place for the children to play."
As families like the Paiz' prepare to move in, they see the new development representing a foundation for hope, stability, and a brighter future for the Immokalee community.
Eileen Kelley and Andrea Melendez contributed to this report.
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