“We can’t even put it into words,” reflects Carlos Paiz, standing proudly in front of his new home in Immokalee, Florida. For many families in this vibrant community, the struggle to find affordable housing is a harsh reality. Yet, in a heartwarming turn of events, sixteen families, including Carlos’s, have stepped into fresh beginnings in a newly constructed apartment complex.
The pure joy radiating from Carlos is palpable. “Happy that I can finally say my kids are gonna have their own place to be comfortable and run around, make mess,” he shares, the excitement evident in his voice.
Selected by the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, Carlos, along with his wife Maria and their four children, has become part of an initiative designed to redefine home for working families facing financial hurdles. This development, which aims to consist of eight buildings housing 128 families, is made possible through generous grants and donations from local supporters.
Watch this celebration of community spirit unfold in a report by Immokalee Community Correspondent Ella Rhoades:
“We can’t even put it into words,” Immokalee family appreciates more affordable housing options.
Rent for each unit is set at a manageable 30% of household income, a crucial step towards alleviating financial pressures. Each building is constructed to endure a Category 5 hurricane, boasting modern air conditioning and fresh appliances—a rarity in many housing options in the area.
Carlos and Maria, both natives of Immokalee, faced daunting challenges while searching for an affordable space to call their own. Without means to secure a home that met their needs, they settled into a single rented room, a situation familiar to many in the community. “It means a lot that we have a home that we could come to. We could cook meals. We could enjoy each other’s company,” expresses Maria, her words imbued with the warmth of a newfound sanctuary.
The vision for this project began six years ago with Dr. Arol Buntzman, who was determined to create affordable housing solutions for families like the Paiz family. “They need to live here; they’re being exploited—there’s not enough decent, safe, affordable housing,” he remarked, acknowledging the urgent need for change.
Fast forward to today, and seven months after a tour conducted by FOX 4, the Paiz family stands in their very own home, a milestone that once felt distant. When Dr. Buntzman delivered the news, both men experienced a surge of emotion. “To him, the most important thing is that for the first time, he was going to be able to show his children he as dad could take care of them,” he noted, and for the Paiz family, this moment marks a significant weight lifted off their shoulders.
With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen brimming with potential, they finally have the space to grow, gather, and cherish memories. Not only does this new chapter bring happiness, but it also opens doors to future aspirations. “It means happiness, goals, and it means a lot like we can’t even put it into words,” Carlos emphasizes, a testament to the transformative power of home.
In the town they fervently love, the Paiz family has found their way, no longer just surviving but truly living. Plans are in place for the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance to break ground on additional buildings, with hopes set on expanding this community later this fall. Amid their journey, one particular fact resonates: affordable housing is not just about walls and roofs—it’s about dreams realized and futures built.
