Affordable Housing--Part 3 No Place Like Home: Why affordable housing is falling short . . .
The League of Women Voters of Lee County (LWVLee) invites the public and League members to Affordable Housing--Part 3. No Place Like Home: Why affordable housing is falling short and what our community can do about it. March 7, 2026, 9-11am. For flyer click here
This LWVLee Educational Event is to increase understanding of public policy issues, engage citizens in the decisions that impact their lives, and to influence public policy. The event is at the Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers and Virtual via zoom. (A zoom link will be sent to registrants two days before and day of the event.)
Register with this link: https://LWVLeeAffordableHousing.eventbrite.com OR Email: [email protected] Or call 239-278-1032.
Affordable and attainable housing continues to be a critical need in Lee County, especially for the most vulnerable populations, those without the resources to recover. The League of Women Voters believes every family deserves a decent home and a suitable living environment. The League supports governing that provides leadership and coordination to solve economic and social issues and assures needed services to all citizens.
Speakers will reveal data about the gaps in affordable housing for middle to low income residents, barriers to building housing that is affordable, and solutions that have the potential to increase the amount of units that are affordable for individuals experiencing housing stress, and spending over 30% of their income on housing.
Lowell Atkinson, Policy Analyst, Florida Housing Coalition serves on the Florida Housing Coalition’s Affordable Housing Development team, where he helps manage the Predevelopment Loan Program. In this role, he connects nonprofit affordable housing developers with predevelopment capital and provides training and technical assistance to strengthen their development capacity. Previously, Lowell worked with Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg’s Housing and Community Development Departments, as well as Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments. A Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), he has managed the distribution of more than $85 million in tax credit equity across 51 projects, resulting in the creation or preservation of approximately 3,800 affordable rental units, including more than $41 million supporting projects led by Tribal Designated Housing Entities. Lowell brings deep experience in public and private housing finance, regulatory compliance, and developer support, and holds master’s degrees in Public Administration and Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston.
Lois Healy, CEO, Affordable Homeownership Foundation brings more than a decade of experience in housing counseling, financial coaching, and affordable mortgage lending to her work. A former CRA loan officer and U.S. Army veteran, Lois has deep, practical knowledge of homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and financial capability building for low- and moderate-income households. Her commitment to housing stability is deeply personal. As a child, she lived with a disability and used a wheelchair for several years due to rheumatic fever, and as an adult she raised her children as a single mother. These experiences shape her belief that one unexpected crisis can push a family toward housing instability and that early, accessible financial education can change life trajectories. Lois has served on more than a dozen nonprofit boards, holds multiple HUD and NCHEC certifications, and remains focused on expanding safe, affordable, and accessible housing while helping individuals and families build the financial tools needed for long-term stability.
Following the presentations, there will be opportunities for audience participation and questions.
Event Links
Booking: https://go.evvnt.com/3495675-0
