In Immokalee, Florida, Collier County Habitat for Humanity is undertaking its most extensive subdivision project nationwide. Known as Kaicasa, the development already accommodates over 15 families, with a vision to provide housing for 300 families upon completion. Acquired by Habitat in 2004, this 110-acre property began construction in 2022.
The name “Kaicasa” is rich with cultural significance, symbolizing “home” in Creole and Spanish, and reflecting the Seminole language’s meaning of “my home,” thus honoring the diverse cultures of Immokalee.
For Alyssa Gonzalez, Kaicasa represents newfound stability. Raised in Immokalee, she found herself living with her parents after her husband’s passing, determined to move forward for herself and her children. Despite her efforts, affordable housing options remained elusive in town, especially for families like hers, caught in the middle income bracket.
Gonzalez’s application for a home in Kaicasa led her to Lisa Lefkow, CEO of Collier County Habitat, who emphasizes the program’s aim to provide a pathway to homeownership for families like Gonzalez’s, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering generational wealth.
Lefkow highlights the longstanding housing challenges faced by Immokalee, where access to affordable housing has stagnated for four decades. With the county experiencing a deficit of 10,000 affordable units, compounded by an annual need for an additional 2,000 units, Kaicasa emerges as a vital solution.
Featuring homes with three to four bedrooms, two baths, and a garage, Kaicasa aims to offer comfortable living spaces to its residents. However, the project’s completion is anticipated to take 6 to 8 years.
For Gonzalez, the prospect of owning a home in Kaicasa is transformative. “The house is mine. It’s good to call something mine,” she expresses, encapsulating the profound impact of affordable housing initiatives like Kaicasa on individuals and families in Immokalee.
