Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance recently hosted a block party to celebrate and welcome the first 16 families who moved into their new homes at the affordable apartment complex in Immokalee in December.
During the celebration, the complex playground, Hart Place, was dedicated to the children of Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance by Linda and Graham Hart and Family.
In addition to the resident families, more than 80 donors and supporters attended the celebration to enjoy music, piñatas, a photo booth by Smak Rentals, Taco Tummy food truck and more. Community partners helped make the event a success, including Next Level Church leading games and Harry Chapin Food Bank, Healthcare Network, Guadalupe Social Services and Believe N Books for providing resources for families.
Kids took home free books, backpacks, notepads, pencils and plenty of candy from piñatas donated by Hugo Rodriguez State Farm.
“It’s so exciting to see that the families have settled into their new homes and the children are enjoying the playground,” says Dr. Arol Buntzman, chairman of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance. “None of this would be possible without the dedication and support of donors and volunteers. We couldn’t be more thankful to gather everyone together in one place for this celebration.”
The first building and playground were completed in 2024, and construction is well underway on buildings two and three. This spring, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance will break ground on the community center, which will serve as a cornerstone for connection, as well as a resource and support hub for residents of the entire Immokalee community.
For more information or to donate, please visit ImmokaleeFairHousing.org.
Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance
The Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) created in 2018 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the damage done by Hurricane Irma to already substandard trailers and shacks rented by farmworkers and other low-income families in Immokalee. The IFHA vision is for these families to have access to secure, affordable, hurricane-resistant rental housing, which will strengthen the community by fostering health, education, dignity and financial stability. The organization has embarked on a project to create community awareness and raise funds for a 128-rental unit complex in Immokalee. For more information, please visit ImmokaleeFairHousing.org.
