In the Know: Here's how non-profits drive SWFL economy while addressing affordable housing

When it comes to growth and development and some of the billion-dollar big dogs out there, it's easy to potentially overlook non-profits that are having a major impact on the community.

We're not going to do that today.

For example, St. Matthew's House, focused on hunger, homelessness and related challenges, officially opens its seventh Southwest Florida thrift outlet in Golden Gate Friday.

And the not-for-profit operations are hefty, outdoing your typical shop. Annual average retail sales per square feet nationally is about $200, according to Colliers, the commercial real estate advising group. Statistica data company reports Kohl's, Michaels Stores and Macy's at just above that.

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St. Matthew's stats show its half-dozen locations outperforming the national sales average by 400%. And supply chain issues that have been hitting traditional businesses since last decade have driven customers their way, said James Shedden, director of retail for St. Matthew's, which started as a soup kitchen 34 years ago.

The success goes beyond, such as the $3 million LuLu's Kitchen that opened more than a year ago in Naples and other social enterprises, like its catering outfit and the Port LaBelle Inn and Conference Center. These programs generate revenue to support its many causes while providing jobs and other help for those in need.

"Our continuum of care includes employment training and other educational initiatives that are aimed at providing a hand up rather than a hand out to those we serve," St. Matthews CEO Steven Brooder said. "Hope truly starts here."

In 2021, St. Matthew’s assisted 213,373 families experiencing food insecurity and its recovery program served 278 men and women with substance abuse disorders, Brooder said.

"Since its founding, St. Matthew’s House has never missed a day of feeding the hungry," he said. "St. Matthew’s House does not rely on government funding. Our ability to pursue our mission depends on the generosity of our donors and the support of the Southwest Florida community."

While its shelter facilities helped 677 individuals experiencing homelessness last year, that challenge grows with the region's worsening affordable housing predicament. The shelter has had a wait list of about 80 names.

“The striking thing is first-time homeless,” Brooder said, representing about 25% of people in the shelter. “One event can push someone into homelessness.”

Its flagship commercial undertaking, adjacent to LuLu's, can be found at 2601 Airport Road S., which has been part of the transformation happening around the intersection with nearby Davis Boulevard. The new 7,500-square-foot outpost, with clothes, fashion accessories, home furnishings and housewares, is located in Parkway Plaza at 4945 Golden Gate Parkway with hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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Habitat developing neighborhood

But St. Matthew's House isn't the only organization with affordable housing in its crosshairs.

Habitat for Humanity is also helping.

The pioneering Lee-Hendry County branch had plans coming together this past week for a 29-home development to help tackle the crisis.

While governments have missed opportunities to secure land well before the present escalating prices, Habitat in 2002 purchased a six-acre property on Prospect Avenue in Fort Myers.

Construction is slated to begin in the fall, with the first residents expected to move in next summer and a target of completing all of it within about four years, according to the agency.

Habitat has budgeted close to $200,000 for building a home and related infrastructure. As the developer, builder and mortgage lender, Habitat sells homes at appraised value. Mortgages are fixed at 30% or less of a homebuyer’s monthly income at the time of closing. That payment is then reinvested to continue the group's mission.

Its resurgence of the concept of developing local neighborhoods dates to February 2019 when building started on the 24-acre Heritage Heights off Gladiolus Drive and Summerlin Road in south Lee. Planned for 150 homes, there are currently 28 homes finished or in some stage of construction.

Majorca Palms off Ortiz Avenue in east Fort Myers is a similar project. And in the 1990s, the group also launched Habitat Village in the Dunbar community.

The idea is, like with HOAs, families have a strong sense of community rooted in part, by social cohesion.

From 1982 through 2021, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has served 1,705 families through affordable homeownership, 218 families through home repair, and 931 families through housing counseling. Collier's Habitat is also making major inroads.

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Housing money for SWFL residents

While the state Department of Children and Families has drained one of its federally funded programs to address affordable housing, that has no impact on local governments also doling out federal funds.

In fact, Collier County has been trying to get the word out that millions of dollars in help is available.

"Our programs are still open and operating, processing files and cutting checks and impacted households can still apply through the county," said Jacob LaRow, manager of Collier's housing operations office.

An update is planned on the county's programs at Tuesday's meeting of the County Commission. That's also when it's considering an affordable housing measure that some board members have been hesitant to support that's already been tentatively approved by the Naples City Council, requiring tenants to receive 60-day notice if their rents are to be raised by more than 5%. Other governments around Florida have also backed it.

The commission meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday on the third floor of the administration building at 3299 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. The Collier TV Live link is near the bottom left side of CollierCountyFl.gov for those viewing online.

Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, which supplemented this report. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.