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.
