Lee County awards nearly $42M for rehab of 836 affordable housing units


  • By Louis Llovio
  • | 1:15 p.m. May 21, 2024
  • | 2 Free Articles Remaining!
Renaissance Preserve in Fort Myers is one of several affordable housing developments that will undergo repairs with grants handed out by Lee County commissioners Tuesday.
Renaissance Preserve in Fort Myers is one of several affordable housing developments that will undergo repairs with grants handed out by Lee County commissioners Tuesday.
Image via HACFM.org
  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • Share

The Lee County Commission awarded $41.6 million in block grants Tuesday to four local organizations that are working toward rehabilitating more than 800 affordable housing units mostly in Fort Myers.

The money is coming from the $1.1 billion in Community Development Block Grants-Disaster Recovery funding that was awarded to the county by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the wake of 2022’s Hurricane Ian.

Lee has set aside $50 million of that for multifamily housing rehabilitation, according to a presentation prepared by county staff.

The funding was made available to public housing authorities, for-profit developers and nonprofit developers through a competitive application process, the county says.

According to the presentation and a statement issued after the approval, here is what the grant money will go toward:

  • The Dunbar Improvement Association was awarded $10 million for the 100-unit Palm City Garden Apartments at 1625 Marsh Ave. in Fort Myers. The funding will go to renovate remaining kitchens; replace HVAC ducts; replace soffit; water heaters; renovate bathrooms; paint interior and exterior; flooring; interior doors; interior hardware/shelving; replace windows; and a generator.
  • The Lee County Housing Authority was awarded $7 million for the 92-unit Pine Echo Apartments at 14170 Warner Circle in North Fort Myers. The funding will go to a new generator; replace plumbing and electrical fixtures; replace water heaters; replace windows; repair sidewalks; update Americans with Disability Act units; replace HVAC; remodel kitchens; repair fencing; remodel the community building and bring it up to ADA code; new playground; and landscaping/irrigation.
  • The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers was awarded $8.4 million for the 392-unit Renaissance Preserve at 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way in Fort Myers. The units have been identified as requiring urgent repairs due to post-storm water intrusion issues and other damages incurred during Hurricane Ian. The funding will go to replace all roofs with metal; repair and replace damaged kitchens; harden of roofs as they are repaired; install dehumidifiers.

The Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation was awarded about $16 million for three projects.

  • The first is $6.1 million for the 126-unit Landings at East Point at 3701 Nelson Tillis Blvd. in Fort Myers. The funding will go to replace roofs replacements; rehabilitate all interior units with new appliances; replace interior cabinets and countertops; replace HVAC systems (air handlers and dehumidifier units); mold mitigation until.
  • The second is $7.1 million for the 86-unit East Point Place (Phase 1) at 3501 Dale St. in Fort Myers. The funding will go to addressing post-storm water intrusion issues and damages caused by Hurricane Ian; replace or install cabinets, countertops, non-functional appliances, water heaters and dehumidifiers.
  • The third is $2.87 million for the 40-unit Broadway Apartments at 2909 Broadway Ave. in Fort Myers. The funding will go to install kitchen cabinets; replace kitchen countertops with solid surface materials; upgrade kitchen sinks and faucets; install new bathroom vanities, countertops, and faucets; renovate or replace toilets and tub/shower areas; remove existing carpeting and install of vinyl plank wood flooring; replacement appliances including range, refrigerator, and water heater; upgrade electric panels or HVAC systems as necessary. Implement mold remediation procedures if required.

 

author

Louis Llovio

Louis Llovio is the deputy managing editor at the Business Observer. Before going to work at the Observer, the longtime business writer worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Maryland Daily Record and for the Baltimore Sun Media Group. He lives in Tampa.

Latest News

Sponsored Content