Sanibel Island has long been defined by its natural beauty, strong sense of community and thriving tourism economy. Yet behind that success is a growing challenge. The people who power the island’s economy, including hospitality workers, retail employees, teachers and first responders, often struggle to find housing they can afford on the island they serve.
That challenge has intensified in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
As Sanibel continues its recovery, rebuilding homes, businesses and infrastructure, there is an equally urgent need to address attainable housing for the island’s workforce. Right now, the median home price on Sanibel is hovering around $1.1 million, with some estimates placing average values near or above that mark depending on the property type.
At Benchmark General Contractors, we are proud to be part of that solution through our work on Riverview, a new 15-unit affordable housing development created in partnership with Community Housing & Resources (CHR). Funded through community donations and driven by a shared commitment to Sanibel’s future, Riverview represents more than a construction project. It is an investment in the people who keep the island running.
A Longstanding Issue
Sanibel’s housing affordability gap did not emerge overnight. As a barrier island with limited land and high property values, market-rate housing has long been out of reach for many essential workers.
Programs like CHR’s below-market-rate housing exist because many individuals who work full time on Sanibel, particularly in tourism, retail and public service roles, cannot afford to live there. As a result, many workers commute from the mainland, creating daily strain on employees and employers alike. It also limits the island’s ability to sustain a stable, year-round community.
Even before Hurricane Ian, local leaders identified the need to expand workforce housing. The storm accelerated that need. Sanibel lost housing stock, including affordable units, and recovery efforts have made it clear that rebuilding must address not only structures, but also long-term community sustainability.
An Economic Necessity
Affordable housing is often viewed as a social issue. On Sanibel, it is also an economic necessity.
Tourism remains the backbone of the island, with lodging, restaurants and retail businesses steadily returning as recovery progresses. Those businesses depend on people, and without accessible housing, staffing becomes a significant barrier to long-term success.
Workforce housing supports business continuity by helping employers recruit and retain staff. It strengthens community resilience by allowing essential workers to live near where they serve. It also promotes economic stability by reducing long commutes and minimizing workforce gaps.
Housing, in many ways, is infrastructure. Without it, the entire system becomes more difficult to sustain.
Rebuilding with Purpose
The Riverview development is a direct response to this need. The 15-unit project replaces a previous housing facility lost to Hurricane Ian and reflects a broader commitment to rebuilding stronger and more intentionally. Developed in partnership with CHR and funded through donations, Riverview is designed to provide safe, quality housing for individuals and families who work on Sanibel but would otherwise be priced out of the market. Completion of the apartment complex is expected in fall of 2026.
For Benchmark, the project aligns with a larger mission. Rebuilding the islands means supporting both physical structures and the people who rely on them.
True resilience is not defined solely by stronger buildings. It is defined by stronger communities.
Sanibel’s recovery is well underway. Businesses are reopening, tourism is rebounding and the island is regaining momentum. However, true recovery is measured not only by what has been restored, but by what has been improved. Workforce housing must be part of that progress.
Projects like Riverview demonstrate what is possible when public, private and nonprofit partners come together with a shared purpose. They show that rebuilding can go beyond replacing what was lost and instead address long-standing needs that could otherwise limit the island’s future.
At Benchmark General Contractors, we believe rebuilding Sanibel means building for everyone. That includes not only those who can afford to buy property, but also those who make life on the island possible.
When we invest in workforce housing, we are doing more than constructing buildings. We are strengthening the foundation of the community itself.
About the Author
Ryan Johnson is the vice president of commercial for Benchmark General Contractors. Johnson has more than 30 years’ experience in construction leadership and $20 billion to date in real estate developments.
