A Collaborative Story of Impact
By Kelly Hunter & Nicole Fischler
As we close out 2025 and reflect on what has been accomplished together, one thing is clear: sustainable housing outcomes are achieved through strong partnerships, thoughtful investment, and a shared commitment to community stability. Across Charlotte County, the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program—administered by Charlotte County Human Services—continues to play a critical role in expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for residents across the county.
Each year, Charlotte County administers $1.5–$2 million in SHIP funds, alongside Hurricane Housing Recovery (HHR) resources, including a $7 million award following Hurricane Ian. These State investments support renters and homeowners alike—helping residents recover from disaster impacts, stabilize during periods of hardship, and move toward long-term housing solutions.
Throughout 2025, SHIP and HHR dollars were strategically deployed through trusted nonprofit partners to ensure residents could access purchase assistance, owner-occupied rehabilitation, rapid rehousing and rental assistance, and disaster-related housing support. These programs address urgent housing needs while reinforcing long-term stability for individuals and families.
The results of these partnerships are tangible and far-reaching. In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, 28 families achieved affordable homeownership this year—creating opportunities for permanence and economic security. The Charlotte County Family Stability Division provided emergency repairs and disaster assistance to more than 110 households, enabling families to safely remain in their homes. Rebuilding Together Greater Florida continued delivering owner-occupied rehabilitation services, preserving affordability while improving housing quality and resilience.
SHIP funding was also instrumental in supporting the Lost Lagoon rehousing initiative, a coordinated effort to assist individuals and families who had been living in unsafe conditions without access to basic infrastructure. Through collaboration between Charlotte County Human Services, St. Vincent de Paul CARES, and Gulf Coast Partnership, SHIP-supported resources helped move households into safe, stable housing—demonstrating the flexibility and responsiveness of these funds when communities face complex housing challenges.
More broadly, SHIP investments continue to support households transitioning out of homelessness through coordinated rental assistance and supportive partnerships. In 2025 alone, Charlotte County invested more than $1 million in Rapid Rehousing, and through the work of St. Vincent de Paul CARES, working alongside Gulf Coast Partnership, over 100 households were assisted in securing stable housing.
Beyond individual households, SHIP and HHR dollars are shaping the future of affordable housing in Charlotte County. Funding allocated this year is supporting the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental housing, including the replacement of units lost to recent hurricanes. Several projects are expected to be completed by Spring/Summer 2026, including:
- Blue Deep Creek – 88 affordable units in Port Charlotte
- Paradise Rentals – 10 units in Punta Gorda
- Villas at Scott Street – a triplex serving extremely low-income Veterans in Punta Gorda
Additional developments remain in planning and pre-construction phases, further strengthening the county’s affordable housing pipeline.
As we lookahead to 2026, we do so with deep gratitude—for Charlotte County Human Services, for the SHIP and HHR programs, and for the nonprofit and development partners who translate public investment into real outcomes. Together, these collaborations continue to strengthen housing stability, expand access to affordable housing, and support recovery and resilience across Charlotte County.
This is how SHIP happens in Charlotte County—and it is work we are proud to continue, together.
