HOUSING CRISIS, PART 2: HOW DID THE FLORIDA KEYS GET HERE?
Housing is the largest single challenge facing Florida Keys residents and has been for decades. With scarce buildable land, strict height restrictions, sky-high property values, second homes that sit empty most of the year and a proliferation of vacation rentals, many full-time workers no longer can afford to live or rent in the island chain, much less buy a home.
Last week, Keys Weekly defined the housing problem. This week, we examine what caused it, and how we got here. A complex blend of contributing factors has turned the Florida Keys’ longtime housing concerns into an undeniable crisis.
‘GREAT RESIGNATION’ HITS SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH WRESTLES TO FIND TEACHERS
For the first time in a Monroe County school board meeting, district staff brought up the ‘Great Resignation,’ the nationwide trend of workers in many industries quitting...
ROBYN STILL IS THE FIRST TO FILE FOR MARATHON CITY COUNCIL ELECTION
On March 7, Robyn Still, left and her campaign treasurer Joanne Zimmerman paid a visit to the Supervisor of Elections office to become the first candidate to...
CAN WE SAY ‘GAY’ IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS?
To be clear, Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill doesn’t ban the word “gay” in public schools.
It bans “classroom disscussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in...
HOUSING CRISIS, PART 3: WHERE DO THE FLORIDA KEYS GO FROM HERE?
Housing is the largest single challenge facing Florida Keys residents and has been for decades. With scarce buildable land, strict height restrictions, sky-high property values, second homes...
$112 BILLION STATE BUDGET LEAVES OUT AHEC FUNDING
Legislative session in Tallahassee concluded on March 14 with passage of a $112.1-billion budget — $10.4 billion more than last year’s spending plan. With a 105-3 vote, the...
LIBRARIES OF TOMORROW: COUNTY OFFICIALS DISCUSS FUTURE PROJECTS
A state-of-the-art Marathon library is spurring discussion on what the other county libraries could be in the Florida Keys.
As Kimberly Matthews, senior director of strategic planning and...
KEYS OBTAIN $13 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WATER, FLOODING & HOUSING
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez recently announced the securing of $13.9 million in federal funds for three projects in Monroe County.
Of the projects, water improvement in Key West...
HEALTH ADVISORIES LIFTED AS BEACH BACTERIA COUNTS DROP
High levels of bacteria found in nearshore waters off several Keys beaches during water quality tests throughout the month of March have significantly subsided, according to new...
KEYS MARINE SANCTUARY’S UPDATED RESTORATION BLUEPRINT COULD RELEASE IN JUNE
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary resources are under threat and facing continued deterioration. With threats of hurricanes and a stony coral tissue loss disease also came a...
