June 2026 Newsletter

PROGRAM UPDATES

Project Gateway Gains Approval at Planning Commission, Going Before Board of County Commissioners this Month

We are one step closer to bringing more affordable homeownership opportunities to our workforce! Thanks to your advocacy efforts, our pilot Build-to-Rent-to-Own community—planned for 4.2 acres off Golden Gate Parkway—was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission in a 5–1 vote!

Project Gateway will now go before the Board of County Commissioners on June 23, 2026 for final approval and we need your voice now more than ever.

If approved, this project will create 36 thoughtfully-designed townhomes, each with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 1-car garage—expanding access to stable, attainable housing for local working families.

To stand with us in this transformative work, there are several ways you can get involved:

make a contribution to CCCLT in support of the project
attend a 15-minute zoom advocacy workshop session between June 1-22 to hear how you can support the project
attend the Board of Commissioners meeting
submit a letter of support to advocate for the proposed location
engage your employer or join a committee

Learn More

Housing Navigators will be on hand at the HELP Housing Expo to Provide Free Homebuyer Education and Pre-purchase Counseling

Our affiliate HELP will host its annual Housing Expo on June 27, 2026 where homebuyers seeking financial literacy tools and those looking for stable housing options can receive education about housing opportunities, down payment assistance programs, pre-purchase counseling and more. The event begins with breakfast and networking with opportunities to visit with local financial resources including credit counselors, banks and credit unions, mortgage companies as well as lending organizations. There will also be educational workshops that will give an update on the Housing Navigator program, Collier County SHIP program, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Affordability Portal and our B2R2O pilot workforce housing project.

In addition, attendees will have onsite access to HELP’s homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling services for families seeking homeownership or affordable rentals from HUD-certified, bilingual housing counselors through the Housing Navigator Program.

Thanks to our event sponsors the event is free and includes food and refreshments.

Learn More

DONOR NEWS

Collier County Community and Human Services Division Provides $125,000 CDBG Grant for the Housing Navigator Program

HELP (Housing Education Lending Program) was awarded a federal grant of $125,000 by the Collier County Community and Human Services Division to support our Housing Navigator Program. The funding was provided through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. With this funding, HELP will be able to expand its homebuyer education, fair housing outreach events, and pre-purchase counseling services to more families seeking homeownership or affordable rentals.

Learn More

IN THE NEWS

Naples Florida Weekly

Housing Crisis in Naples

Naples Florida Weekly was on hand to cover the Greater Naples Chamber Wake Up Naples breakfast last month, where our CEO Michael Puchalla was invited to serve on the Housing Forward: New Pathways to Affordability in Collier County panel. The moderated discussion included Lindsey Touchette, VP of Community Engagement at Collier Community Foundation and Andrew Cribbs, CEO & Cofounder of Onda Housing Group and explored innovative models for affordable housing, the vital role nonprofit partnerships play in development efforts, and actionable ways the community can contribute to long-term solutions.

In this article, Michael was interviewed about the Housing Affordability Portal, Project Gateway and our unique philanthropic model.

Read the Article

SEEN AROUND TOWN

North Naples Rotary Club Meeting

CEO Michael Puchalla was given the opportunity to introduce our mission, housing solutions and opportunities to get involved to the North Naples Rotary Club members.

Telling our story is the best way to engage the community and create awareness. If you would like us to give a talk to your organization or group, contact us.

Schedule a Talk

Wave at Rose Groundbreaking

Development Director Share Young attended the Wave at Rose groundbreaking ceremony. When complete, this 230-unit affordable housing community will serve working families in Immokalee, bringing much-needed housing to the area. The project will include 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units with amenities. 100% of the units will be affordable for families.

Learn More

UPCOMING EVENTS

June

23

Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Show your support for Project Gateway when it goes before the BOCC for final approval. Learn More.

June

27

HELP Housing Expo

Join our affiliate HELP's annual housing expo where participants will have the opportunity to attend informative workshops on home buying, renting, credit improvement and budgeting, connect with HUD-certified housing counselors for personalized guidance, as well as meet with lenders and other key partners to discover local and state resources that support homeownership and tenant rights.