A community needs assessment conducted every five years shows that affordable housing; managing growth and development; and the environment are Collier County residents’ biggest concerns.

The Collier County Community Assessment, conducted by Q-Q Research Consultants Inc. for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and Community Foundation of Collier County with the help of numerous partners, provides a blueprint for county commissioners and officials, experts, civic groups and others to determine the county’s future needs. Respondents, who met in focus groups and took an online survey in English, Spanish or Haitian Creole, were asked to select three areas from a list to help community leaders prioritize in the future.

“It went from 45% of the people five years ago saying (affordable housing) was the biggest problem to 65% of the people now saying it was the problem,” Community Foundation CEO Eileen Connolly-Keesler said of the difference since the 2018 survey.

No. 2 was infrastructure and transportation, which rose to 63% from 38%. “That was a big increase. People are very concerned about traffic and developments and the whole growth issue we’re facing in Collier County,” she said.

No. 3 was the environment—which includes preservation, emergency resilience and planning—at 41%, compared with 22% in 2018. Other concerns were:

• Bringing better-paying jobs to the area: 32%, down from 39% in 2018.

• Public education and workforce training: 24%, up from 22%.

• Mental-health services: 23%, no earlier data.

• Access to health and dental care, including specialty services: 22%.

• Childcare for young children and summer/ after-school youth programs: 19%.

The process began in November 2022, when the foundations and a cross-sector advisory committee began updating the 20172018 report. Q- Q Research Consultants, which devised the survey, focus-group and input process, conducted research and produced the report.

“Having the most current information will support residents, organizations and civic leaders in continuing local efforts to improve quality of life in the Collier County community,” the Schulze Foundation said, noting that the 2018 report was used in many ways, from funders using the findings in guiding grant-making to organizations identifying opportunities to further align with their mission and have a deeper effect.

During the input process, focus groups discussed how people who could once afford to buy homes here no longer could due to rising costs. They talked about rising rents, especially for workers and young people, and homeless intervention, which most were dissatisfied with.

Participants, including experts, cited concern over workforce housing and the role of short-term rental properties, seasonal homes and gentrification displacing residents. They noted that the high cost of housing is driving the workforce out of Collier.

Mike Overway, executive director of the Hunger & Homeless Coalition, agreed Collier needs workforce housing, but said there should be a greater emphasis on housing for the underserved and those without homes, especially those with no income or who earn 30%-50% AMI (area median income).

“If we could only get the county and its funding through the American Rescue Plan to build the housing that prevents and ends homelessness,” Overway said.

The survey was conducted just after Hurricane Ian, and respondents were satisfied with the county’s emergency readiness. Satisfaction was mixed over climate-change readiness, although most leaned toward dissatisfaction and uncertainty.

Satisfaction with pre-K-12 education was strong, but most said there isn’t enough access to affordable childcare. Focus groups said childcare is needed to maintain their jobs, but the demand was high and availability low. Participants, mostly education experts, highlighted the importance of after- school programs in all grades so students can have a safe space to interact, socialize and spend time. Participants cited a need for increased vocational education and training to fill employment gaps in trades.

Participants also mentioned barriers to accessing health care and mental-health services, including doctor’s office operating hours, ambulances, insurance coverage, closing or understaffed pharmacies and technology. They cited accessibility challenges due to locations, and provider availability. The perception was that health care was not affordable.

They also cited health challenges faced by seniors, including a lack of affordable retirement and nursing-home options and limited mental-health services, which are needed for adults, parents and youth.

Other focus group findings were:

• Concern over the increasing population and the belief that there isn’t enough space to accommodate the growth that comes with bringing in new employees.

• There’s a need to enhance roads and highways to minimize traffic congestion and prevent accidents.

• Residents were satisfied with recreational facilities, such as parks, athletic fields, courts and golf courses, as well as arts and cultural options.

• Improved and increased pedestrian infrastructure is needed.

• A lack of bicycle infrastructure poses safety concerns due to traffic congestion.

• Public transportation is a challenge and busing isn’t a sustainable option.

• Residents were satisfied with access to parks and clean beaches.

• Residents, especially seasonal, wanted more opportunities to learn about environmental education and awareness.

• Some participants, including environment experts, emphasized a need to have conversations about resiliency to overcome future environmental natural disasters, which they said disproportionally affect vulnerable populations.