Collier Community Foundation invests $200,000 in The Housing Alliance Initiatives

Eileen Connolly Kesler, Michael Puchalla and Lindsey Touchette

The Housing Alliance, a new non-profit organization formed to provide information, education and advocacy for accessing and developing attainable housing solutions in Collier County, announced it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Collier Community Foundation (CCF) to fund operations in 2025. The funds will be used to expand office space in Naples and Immokalee, enhance reporting and fundraising capabilities, and continue and expand the scope of work of The Housing Alliance.

CCF has been leading the way to improve housing affordability after it commissioned the Collier County Community Needs Assessment, sponsored by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and CCF, in 2023 and it showed that 65% of respondents cited affordable and workforce housing as the county’s #1 priority, up from 45% five years earlier. As a result, CCF has made housing affordability a top priority for its funding initiatives and played a key role in advocating for the creation of The Housing Alliance because they recognized the need to unite key stakeholders and community members to form a housing hub for information, education, and resources surrounding workforce housing in Collier County.

“Housing is a fundamental human need, and everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. The challenges we face in addressing housing are immense—too large for any one person or organization to solve alone. By bringing community leaders together, we foster collaboration and ensure everyone takes on the part they can contribute,” said Eilleen Connolly-Keesler, President & CEO of the Collier Community Foundation. “The Housing Alliance is a shining example of this collective effort, driving real progress in tackling the affordable housing crisis in our community. Together, we are transforming lives and building a stronger future for everyone.”