Affordable Housing: Building Resilience – Part 2
Date & Time:
Saturday, February 1, 2025
9:00 AM – Registration & Networking
9:30 AM – Program Begins
Location:
The Collaboratory
2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Virtual Option Available via Zoom
Information & Registration:
- Eventbrite Registration
- Email: lwvlee@lwvlee.org
- Call: 239-278-1032
Event Details:
Affordable and attainable housing remains a critical need in Lee County, especially for vulnerable populations without the resources for recovery. The League of Women Voters (LWV) believes every family deserves a decent home and a suitable living environment. This event will explore current needs, ongoing actions, available resources, and potential solutions to make housing attainable for all.
Panelists:
- Marcia Davis, Executive Director, Housing Authority, City of Fort Myers
- Expertise in affordable housing redevelopment and administration of HUD programs, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), and Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives.
- CJ Reynolds, Director, Resilience and Disaster Recovery, Florida Housing Coalition
- Leads statewide initiatives in partnership with state and federal agencies to improve affordable housing resilience and disaster recovery efforts.
- Jessica Turner, Partnership Manager, SWFL Home Coalition, Collaboratory
- Works on collective impact strategies to increase housing options and achieve the goal of ensuring housing and transportation costs remain below 45% of income for 80% of people in Southwest Florida by 2040.
Following the panel discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in audience engagement activities.
Featured Resources:
- United Way’s ALICE Report
- Florida Housing Coalition’s 2024 Home Matters Dashboard
- Shimberg Center for Housing Studies Annual Report
- Lee County Government’s CDBG-DR Program Overview
Community Rating System Explained: Flood Insurance Reductions in Lee County
Date & Time:
Saturday, March 1, 2025
9:00 AM – Registration & Networking
9:30 AM – Program Begins
Location:
The Collaboratory
2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Virtual Option Available via Zoom
Information & Registration:
- Eventbrite Registration
- Email: lwvlee@lwvlee.org
- Call: 239-278-1032
Event Details:
The Community Rating System (CRS) helps communities reduce flood risks through effective management strategies. Learn how CRS participation benefits Lee County residents by improving public safety, supporting environmental sustainability, and reducing flood insurance costs.
Featured Speaker:
- Lori Lehr
- An expert in CRS, Lori Lehr assists communities in implementing programs that align with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, ensuring economic and environmental resilience.
Featured Resources:
- FEMA’s Community Rating System Overview
- CRS Discount FAQs
- March 2023 Community Rating System Updates
Upcoming Government Meetings and Legislative Updates
Lee County Board of County Commissioners Meeting
Date & Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 9:30 AM
Location: Old County Courthouse Commission Chambers
2120 Main St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Details:
- Public comments on agenda items must be submitted by 11:00 AM on Monday, January 20.
- Meetings are live-streamed on LeeTV, YouTube, and Facebook. Recordings are available online.
Fort Myers City Council Meeting
Date & Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 4:30 PM
Location: City Hall
2200 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Cape Coral City Council Meeting
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 5:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers, Cape Coral, FL
Legislative Update:
HB4001 was filed on January 13, 2025, by Representative Giallombardo, proposing amendments to the Lee County Home Rule Charter to add board members under certain circumstances and revise district boundaries. A referendum vote is scheduled for the 2026 general election.
Community Events and Webinars
Planning to Protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor 2.0
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 2, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Details: A free webinar hosted by the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation, focusing on urban planning and its role in protecting natural and agricultural lands. Approved for professional credits.
Challenges and Opportunities for Florida’s Agricultural Lands
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Make Your Voice Heard
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Submit comments on the “Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)” before March 17, 2025. This assessment will inform future regulatory actions under the Clean Water Act. Visit the Federal Register for submission details.
For more information about these events and resources, visit the League of Women Voters of Lee County website or contact lwvlee@lwvlee.org. Together, we can address critical community issues and foster sustainable solutions.
