Many seniors in Southwest Florida are facing the threat of homelessness; however, a new initiative is offering a solution to help make paying rent more affordable.
Silver Roommates is a program developed to pair senior-aged people in the same housing, which will not only provide financial relief but will combat loneliness.
The devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian in 2022 uprooted many on Fort Myers Beach, including resident Greg Hunt.
“It destroyed my bottom floor at 16 feet of water, so yeah, ever since then, I’ve been in hotels, in a camper, and couch surfing two and a half years later,” said Hunt.
Jessica Turner, partnership manager at Place and Home Coalitions, explained how the influx of people during COVID-19 has led to soaring rental prices in Southwest Florida.
“During COVID, so many people moved to Southwest Florida, and as a result, our rental prices doubled,” said Turner.
