A state program called “Florida Housing” helped about 5000 families purchase homes last year, and it plans to help thousands more this year. Gina Jordan reports.

Despite a glut of unsold homes and vacant apartments the lack of affordable housing is still an issue in Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is launching what it calls a “Community Caretaking Initiative” - in response to the rapidly growing number of foreclosed and abandoned homes. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry prepared this report…

After spending two weeks talking with homeowners in Florida, Republican U-S Senator Mel Martinez returned to Washington Tuesday to negotiate with Democrats on how to solve the housing crisis. A new housing bill could pass as early as this week. Sara Sciammacco reports from Capitol Hill.

The Cape Coral-Fort Myers area has the highest foreclosure rate in the country right now… nearly seven times the national average. Now a local realtor says he’s doing his part to put a dent in the literally thousands of foreclosed homes on the market…with a brightly painted tour bus. Realtor Marc Joseph told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry that someone’s got to do something about the more than 23-hundred foreclosed homes currently on the market in Southwest Florida.

Voters approved a property tax cutting amendment in January, and it looks like they could get to decide on more cuts in November. Gina Jordan reports.

Lee County agencies will receive 2.2 million dollars in federal funding this year for to help fight homelessness. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

The fallout from the subprime mortgage debacle continues to send shockwaves through southwest Florida. Last month Lee County ranked 8th in the nation foreclosures. County leaders are concerned. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

A longtime Lee County Real Estate Manager says the online auction of 100 newly built, unoccupied homes will be lucky to fetch investors 25 cents on the dollar. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Imagine sleeping outside when it's really hot, or really cold, or raining. Imagine not knowing where your next meal is coming from. According to the State, in 2006, about 86-thousand people in Florida were homeless on any given night. The Lee County Homeless Coalition is working to end chronic homelessness in the community. WGCU's Andrea McCrary reports on its efforts.