Maggie Whitcomb, founder of Florida Keys Land Trust, cut the ribbon of the first of many affordable rental properties in the Lower Keys with the help of partnerships throughout the community and her dedicated friends. After seeing the devastation of Hurricane Irma, the trust purchased property with the intent of replacing workforce rental housing in the area. Four more “Maggie houses,” as they have become affectionately dubbed, are almost complete. Pre-application and more information on the trust can be found at affordablekeys.org.
The ribbon cutting brings out many community members to see the first house.
“Seeing all the heart and effort come together is just so encouraging,” said Rep. Holly Raschein at the cutting.
Yuri Mikolay, of Ocean Reef Community Foundation, Florida Keys Land Trust, and Florida Keys Hurricane Recovery Foundation, left, Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Dianna Sutton, and United Way’s Leah Stockholm all added funding to the housing project.
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay speaks with Florida Keys Land Trust founder Maggie Whitcomb.
The Florida Keys Three: Holly Raschein’s Kate DeLoach, Marco Rubio’s Leah Padron, and Carlos Curbelo’s Nicole Rapanos chat affordable housing.
Attendees tour the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home. The house meets or exceeds all codes and is energy efficient. A highlight of the new house, is the water view from the kitchen window.
