Collier County woman sends letter to Gov. DeSantis calling for his help with soaring rent

A woman in Collier County is sending letters to Governor Ron DeSantis with her concerns over the rising rent costs.

Annemarie Miller said her sons, who have good jobs, are still struggling to make ends meet. She said they are using more than 50% of their checks for rent.

Miller wrote a letter to Governor DeSantis about the soaring cost of rent in Collier County and sent the same sentiment in an email to Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro.

Miller said, “I kinda just feel like I needed to do something and didn’t know what that something was.”

Miller hopes her words get through to them. She said even with a college degree and professional career, the working class in Collier County is getting pushed out.

“If you don’t say something, nothing will change. Nobody will be aware there’s a problem, and it’s not just migrant workers. It’s not just landscapers. It’s everyone,” Miller said.

She said her adult sons live together to afford housing, and still, their rent takes up 50% of their paycheck.

They just got word that their landlord is hiking their rent by $1,000 in a few months.

Miller said, “when you already digging into your paycheck for 50% of that just to pay for a roof over your head and the rest just going to basic living expenses. That is a problem, and it’s not doable.”

Another problem facing people looking for housing in Collier County is a lack of affordable housing.

WINK News did a quick search and found most rentals fall between $2,000 and $3,000 a month.

Miller posted her letter to the governor on social media, where people thanked her for stepping up.

“I’ve always been not afraid to speak my mind. Someone’s got to do it,” said Miller.

Miller said the governor has not answered her letter.

Millier copied Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro on her email to the governor. He replied saying the county is working to address her issues and he will travel to Tallahassee next week to meet with state lawmakers to see what other options there might be.