Collier County is feeling the heat of an expensive housing market. This week, commissioners voted to approve four new developments that will include a total of 350 affordable homes and condominiums. A family of four who makes less than 52-thousand dollars a year would be eligible to buy the discounted homes. Speaking on WGCU’s Gulf Coast Live, Commission chairman Frank Halas said it’s important for young people to stay in Collier.

“We have to make sure that they have someplace as a starter home for them so that they have the ability the stay in this community because a lot of them live in this community and they sure don’t want to move away and we sure don’t want them to move away. Because you have to have youths if you want a vibrant community.”

There won’t be any immediate relief. The Collier homes will take about four years before they’re ready and the need for many more affordable houses is still there.