St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Teams Up with Habitat for Humanity

In Naples and Marco Island - two of the wealthiest communities in the United States - the availability and affordability of housing remains at crisis levels. 

“The human element of this problem is something we can’t look away from,” says Reverend Dr. Jessica Harris Babcock of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island. “When we ignore the need, the entire community suffers.”

To help address the low-income housing crisis for working people in Collier County, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church collaborates each year with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County. Last year St. Mark’s parishioners donated $52,016 toward the construction of one new Habitat for Humanity home.

Jose Gonzalez, single father of Noelle, purchased that home. The dedication of the family’s new home is Saturday, March 11 at Whitaker Woods in Naples.

Meanwhile, an estimated 48,000 people who work in Collier County cannot afford to live here. These workers drive each day from Broward, Miami-Dade, Lee, Hendry, Charlotte, and Glades Counties, clogging our roads and putting undue stress on our business community. 

“This runs the gauntlet from doctors and nurses, down to waiters, and people that clean your pool,” Joe Trachtenberg, chairman of the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, told reporters. 

“We need more density, we need zoning rules changed, we need impact fee rules looked at…there is a path,” said Trachtenberg.

St. Mark’s and much of the faith community is dedicated to solutions, both short-and long-term. On Sunday, March 5th, St. Mark’s will welcome the Reverend Lisa Lefkow, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, as a guest speaker. The public is welcome to attend at 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM.

Lefkow has been at the forefront of the affordable housing problem in Collier County for years and knows better than most what it takes to put roofs over peoples’ heads. Since 1978 the local Habitat affiliate has built nearly 2,500 homes to house more than 8,500 people. 

“We’re excited to bring Lisa back to St. Mark’s,” says Babcock. “To hear her speak about the need and the poor living conditions that people endure just miles from these beautiful beaches…it’s a game changer for our members to be part of the solution and a life changer for another family in need.”