ST INS CARES-Community Housing and Resources Creates Pathways for Essential Workers to Thrive

Behind the paradise of Sanibel Island's pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets lies a crucial challenge – housing the essential workers who keep this slice of heaven functioning. Nicole McHale from Community Housing and Resources (CHR) pulls back the curtain on the affordable housing crisis affecting our coastal communities and the innovative solutions making a difference.

Founded when Sanibel incorporated fifty years ago, CHR has evolved into a lifeline for the island's workforce. The organization currently manages 65 apartments, charging residents just 30% of their income for rent. This approach creates sustainable living situations for everyone from first responders and teachers to restaurant servers and retail workers. After losing 11 units to Hurricane Ian, they're now breaking ground on a new 15-unit building – a testament to the community's resilience and commitment to rebuilding stronger.

The conversation reveals startling realities: 30% of CHR residents don't own vehicles, and of approximately 150 annual housing applicants, 45 are employed but homeless individuals sleeping in cars or on business floors. McHale shares how CHR is adapting to post-hurricane challenges by allowing residents to take second jobs without counting the income toward rent, supporting both workers and businesses struggling with staffing shortages. Beyond housing, CHR connects people with vital resources throughout Lee County, embodying their mission to strengthen the entire community. Their upcoming Winter Wonderland Festival fundraiser aims to bring much-needed magic back to Sanibel while supporting their $7 million rebuilding project.

Want to make a difference in the lives of those who serve your favorite island destinations? Visit sancapchr.org or call 239-472-1189 to learn more about supporting affordable housing initiatives that keep our coastal communities vibrant and sustainable.

Community Housing and Resources  
Nicole McHale
2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite K-2
Sanibel, FL 33957
239-472-1189
[e-mail]
sanibelchr.org

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to State Insurance USA Cares podcast,
where we celebrate the heart ofour communities.
Each episode, we highlightlocal charities and nonprofits
who are bringing hope, help andhealing to those who need it
most.
Get ready to be inspired by theamazing stories of people
making a difference, becausetogether we care.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbors.
Today we have a good neighboracross the island, nicole McHale
from Community Housing andResources.
Welcome, thank you.
Yes, I know we met a littlewhile ago, but pleasure to meet
you and share your story withour listeners.
So, without further ado, let'sjump right in.

(00:41):
People that aren't familiarwith what you do at Community
Housing and Resources.

Speaker 3 (00:46):
Sure Community Housing and Resources.
We are housing for theworkforce and the seniors on
Sanibel and Captiva, although wedo service Lee County.
Obviously that's where theworkforce comes from.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Very nice.
So what's the story behind howthe organization got started to
begin with?

Speaker 3 (01:10):
It's a great story.
Fifty years ago, when the cityof Sanibel wanted to incorporate
, the state told them they hadto have an affordable housing
program, which was brilliantback in the 70s.
So for the first five yearsnothing happened.
And then Community Housing andResources incorporated as a
nonprofit and became the housingfoundation for Sanibel.

(01:34):
Since that time we have 65apartments located on eight
different properties.
We did have 76 before the stormHurricane Ian and we lost 11 of
them.
One was a 10, one bedroom, onebath building.
But the great news we arerebuilding and tomorrow we are

(02:02):
having our groundbreaking tobuild a 15 one-bedroom, one-bath
building.

Speaker 2 (02:08):
Wow, that is awesome.
Congrats on that.
It's been a long time comingright.

Speaker 3 (02:13):
Yes, yes, Almost three years.
But you know, patience pays off.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
That's it.
Like everything around the area, it's coming back right and
that's a good thing thing aroundthe area it's coming back right
, and that's a good thing,absolutely so how does your
organization you know kind ofserve the residents of you know
the community here in Lee Countycompared to other types of
organizations in the area?

Speaker 3 (02:36):
Well, our program we house every single industry,
service industry that's out here.
So, whether it's firstresponders, teachers, restaurant
, retail, island water,nonprofit employees, every type

(02:59):
of service service industry, weare housing and we house the
individuals that are livingoutside of the community.
It's such a long commute forthem and we find that if an

(03:20):
individual lives closer to wherethey work, not only is it a
better quality of life for them,but it also better supports the
community, because theindividuals, their children, are
attending the Sanibel School,they are volunteering in the
community as well as working inthe community, and our

(03:43):
organization charges 30% ofincome for rent, which keeps it
affordable.

Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, because that commute can get pretty long and
not necessarily the tollsinvolved and the stress involved
in driving back and forth aswell.
That's not easy right.

Speaker 3 (03:59):
Yes, and we identified that 30% of our
residents don't own a vehicle.
So if you're earning minimumwage, it's very difficult for
you to own a vehicle.
Pay for the toll to come over,pay for the upkeep of the
vehicle, pay for gas.
So it better supportscommunities to have that live

(04:24):
local opportunity.

Speaker 2 (04:27):
Yeah, keep them, keep the people in the community.
And yeah, even if you took aUber, that would be Uber
expensive, right?
Uber expensive, yeah, exactly.
So what are you most proud ofaccomplishing for the, for the
community out here in Sanibel?

Speaker 3 (04:44):
Well, after the storm , all of the properties had
damage and our residents weredisplaced, and I'm most proud of
the effort that it took torebuild the apartments and the
buildings to make them as safeas possible, to bring back the

(05:04):
residents as soon as we couldthat wanted to come back.
That was our objective was tomake sure that they were living
in a safe environment and sincethat time, not only our
residents but we're findingindividuals who are calling and
applying for housing.

(05:25):
Out of about 150 in a year, 45of those individuals have been
working and homeless.
They've been out of their cars,they've been living on the
floors of businesses they workat or they're couch surfing, and
it's another effect of what adevastating storm does to a

(05:46):
community.

Speaker 2 (05:48):
And they're essential employees, because businesses
need people to work, and if theycan't get people to come out
and work, the business failslong term as well.

Speaker 3 (05:58):
Absolutely, and we're finding out here.
There's a number of businessesthat are opening, but there are
limited hours that they can openbecause they can't find
employees.
So one of the things that theboard decided to do is offer our
residents an opportunity totake a second job, and we're not

(06:20):
going to count it towards rent,so that way our residents could
have some financial stabilitywhile also supporting the
businesses out here.

Speaker 2 (06:31):
I love that, love that idea.
So, speaking along those lines,what's your biggest challenge,
that you're facing right now toyou know, and how can the
community help?

Speaker 3 (06:40):
I guess, Our biggest challenge is having enough
housing.
It's wonderful that we're goingto be building housing, but we
have a long wait list ofindividuals and I tell everybody
apply, apply, apply, get on thewait list, even though it's
going to take a long time.
But there's opportunity to findmore land to build more housing

(07:09):
and it's funding.
It's all about funding thoseopportunities.
We've been fortunate enoughthat our project is a $7 million
project and we have raised $6.8million Wow.
So I'm confident that we'regoing to receive the other
200,000 that we need.
But there is opportunity tobuild more and it's important

(07:37):
for communities not just tothink of today, how we have to
support our community today, butto be sustainable for the
future.
So how can we plan for thefuture to be able to build more
housing and be able to supportthe housing that we need?
Obviously, we're subsidizingthe housing, but we need the
individuals that are servicingour communities to live out here
.

Speaker 2 (07:58):
Absolutely so.
Could you share maybe a behindthe scenes look at what a
typical day might be for yourorganization?

Speaker 3 (08:06):
Well, we are all over the place, so we don't have a
typical day.
Might be for your organization.
Well, we are all over the place, so we don't have a typical day
.
We are constantly moving andgrooving.
This is normally, you know.
Everybody says, oh, it's, youknow, off season, you're going
to slow down.
No, we're full force.
We are planning our benefit,which is going to be November

(08:26):
21st and 22nd I believe thoseare the dates.
But we're going to have aWinter Wonderland Festival of
Trees at the Sanibel CommunityHouse.
On Friday we're going to have acommunity day.
We have 20 different trees thatwill be decorated by
organizations and individuals inthe community and 18 wreaths

(08:51):
and on Saturday we'll beauctioning them off.
But we wanted to createsomething magical out here.
We need something magical, sowe want the community to come
and be taken away and we'regoing to have Santa and the
Grinch and we're also tying itin with the business.
So we are holding a decoratingcontest for the businesses and

(09:13):
encouraging them to decorate andwe're going to create a map
that people can go out and theycan vote on best overall,
funniest design, storybookdesign we have about six
different categories and theyfor all the stamps that they get
at the businesses that theyvisit.
They go into a drawing to win alarge gift basket of items from

(09:35):
the business community.
So we're making it as communityengaging as we can Right.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
Bringing the community together, getting
people out to see, because thereis a lot you know it's been a
long time but there's a lotthat's coming up and changing
and you know, and opening,reopening, which is, you know,
we need to support thosebusinesses.
You know it's been a toughcouple of years.
So what can we do to helpsupport them as well?

Speaker 3 (10:01):
And everybody has to remember.
The beaches are still the same,they're still here, we still
have sunrise, we still havesunset and we're still magical.
So we need people to come visit.

Speaker 2 (10:13):
They are, and you know what, on the good side,
they're a little quieter tooright now, right, yes, because
there's not as many people oractivity going on, so it's more
of a natural side of Floridathat you can get up and enjoy.

Speaker 3 (10:27):
Yes, you can find the better shells now.

Speaker 2 (10:29):
Yes, that's the important part, absolutely.
So, looking ahead, what areyour hopes for the future and
how do you see the communitykind of playing a part in that
journey?

Speaker 3 (10:39):
My hope for the future of the community is that
we are going to be a sustainablecommunity that we are.
We're already a community offighters.
We are a supportive community,just like Fort Myers Beach we

(11:00):
this is a remarkable area.
When there is a devastation,people are at their best and
they come together and we areall willing to rebuild our
community to make it as magicalas possible.
And I already see thathappening.
I know tomorrow, when we haveour groundbreaking, we're going

(11:21):
to have people come out andsupport us in droves because
it's the excitement of therebuild and seeing our community
coming back and and I see thatfor the future I we've had it in
the past, we have it today andI see that moving forward in the
future.

Speaker 2 (11:42):
Perfect, I love it.
So how would our residents goabout contacting you or if they
wanted to learn more or actuallysupport you guys and help you?

Speaker 3 (11:50):
Yes, well, we have our website, which is
sancapchrorg.
You can visit our website andlearn anything that you need to
know about us.
We have our application onthere, if anybody's interested
in applying for housing, and youcould call the office anytime.
We help everybody through anapplication process.

(12:11):
Our phone number is239-472-1189.
And we also are willing to goabove and beyond.
So we understand that peopleare calling for housing,
applying for housing, and wecan't help them immediately.
We know that.

(12:31):
But in our name is communityhousing and resources, and we
are supplying resources.
If we can't help you, we areturning you to the agencies that
have the resources in the areathat you're in you, to the
agencies that have the resourcesin the area that you're in.
So, whether you need immediatehousing, whether you need food,
whether you need medicalassistance, we're making sure

(12:54):
that we go above and beyond tonot just help our residents with
those needs, but alsoindividuals that are out there
in our community to help them.

Speaker 2 (13:05):
Absolutely and, like you mentioned, it's a big part
of supporting the community.
You know, supporting thebusiness is one thing, but
supporting the people that areworking at the businesses is the
other side of it, and we needthose people.
They're essential.
They're essential workers.

Speaker 3 (13:18):
We do.
Yes, we have found that westarted telling our residents
stories marketing-wise, andwe're interviewing our residents
, we are taking theirphotographs of where they are in
their life, whether it's atwork or they're with their

(13:39):
children, and we find that weall hear about housing and
affordable housing and it'simportant.
But when you read the story ofthe individual who is servicing
you in the community, you seetheir face.
You say you know what.
That's the person.

(14:00):
When I go to my favoriterestaurant, they know what I eat
, they know what I drink, theyknow my family drink, they know
my family that I bring in there.
But I don't know about them.
I don't know where they'reliving, I don't know if they
have a family, I don't know howfar of a drive they have.
And when you read those storiesit hits your heart and you

(14:25):
understand we're talking aboutpeople, it's all about people.

Speaker 2 (14:31):
And I love that.
I love that you're doing thatas well, too, because it's
important to share those stories.
It brings the communitytogether to understand where
your neighbors are coming fromand the people that are working
in your favorite businesses whattheir journey's been.
I think that's important.
So kudos to you for doing that.
I love what you guys are doing.

(14:52):
How would I?
Well, I already asked you abouthow they would go about
contacting you.
But any last words for ourlisteners today.

Speaker 3 (15:00):
I want everybody to have hope and just keep taking
those steps forward.
There's always going to be asetback.
We have to be flexible.
We never know.
You know, last year we were hitwith more storms, but if we
just keep moving forward alittle bit, we're going to get a

(15:21):
lot done.
And I want everybody toremember that, like behind you
is that beautiful sky, that'swhat we're all reaching for.
You know it's, it's there andwe just have to keep moving
forward towards it.
And we're we're going to makeour communities better, we're
going to be stronger for it andwe're going to live our best

(15:44):
lives.

Speaker 2 (15:45):
That's what it's all about, Nicole.
It's been a pleasure getting toknow you.
Thank you for everything you'redoing for the community.

Speaker 3 (15:50):
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (15:53):
Absolutely Well, we'll see you at the beach soon.
I'll get the shells before youget there, right, yeah?

Speaker 3 (15:58):
that's right.

Speaker 2 (16:00):
You have a great day, thank you.

Speaker 3 (16:02):
Thanks you too, thank you Thanks.

Speaker 1 (16:03):
You too.
Thank you for joining us onState Insurance USA Cares.
We hope today's story upliftedand inspired you.
If you'd like to support orlearn more about the incredible
work happening in your community, visit stateinsuranceusa.
com or call 239-567-9992.
You can also visit CaboWaboJim.
com.
Until next time, be sure to letyour sun shine and keep sharing

(16:24):
good and positive vibeswherever the waves take you.