Workforce Housing Crisis Community Forum

In response to the ongoing problem of a lack of workforce housing in and around Naples, Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) presents a Community Forum addressing the Workforce Housing Crisis in Collier County, being held Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Naples United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples. 

Note the event has moved to a new location to accommodate greater than anticipated community response and registrants. The forum is free, and all are encouraged to attend. Please register to attend at gnlwebsite.org. You can register from the main page.

GNL is partnering with other Collier County organizations and leaders to address this serious problem that, with Hurricane Ian, has only gotten worse. They hope to motivate citizens to encourage our local officials and private parties to take action to solve this crisis. Representatives from several major area employers are scheduled to speak. They will describe how the lack of affordable workforce housing affects their businesses and their ability to provide services and products to us in Collier County. Several employees will also detail their difficulties securing livable, affordable housing in Collier County.

GNL President Kitty Keane said, “The lack of affordable housing in Collier County affects all of us. If we want to be treated at NCH, if we need to call for help from the police or fire departments, and if we care about the quality of local education, then we need to find local places where the people who provide these services can afford to live.”

Joe Trachtenberg, a member of GNL and Chair of the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, is available for interviews regarding the Community Forum and the issues being addressed. Please contact GNL to schedule a time.

Scheduled speakers:

* Paul Hiltz - CEO, NCH Healthcare System

* Dan Lavender - CEO, Moorings Park Communities

* Val Wenrich - Assistant Superintendent, Collier County Public Schools

* Tony Ridgway - Owner of Ridgway Bar & Grill, Tony’s off Third, Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar

* Darlyn Estes - Director, Management Services, Collier County Sheriff’s Office

* Michael Boose - Senior Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Arthrex

* Michael Wynn - Chairman, Wynn Companies

* Joe Trachtenberg - Chair, Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

Forum co-sponsors include NCH Healthcare System, Collier Community Foundation, Justice Committee of Naples United Church of Christ, and the League of Women Voters of Collier County. Naples Daily News is the media sponsor. 

For more information about Greater Naples Leadership, please visit GNLwebsite.org, contact Communications Chair Caren Arnstein at 239-300-7055 or email Carenarnstein@gmail.com.