NEWS BRIEFS

Commissioners launch Affordable Housing Development Programs

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to launch Affordable Housing Development New Construction Programs with the publication of the Notice of Funding Availability for up to $200 million from Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

Lee County’s CDBG-DR Action Plan includes Affordable Housing and Development Programs that provide grant funding for the development and preservation of affordable housing units.

The competitive Notice of Funding Availability process will make up to $150 million available for new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of new multi-family units, and up to $50 million available for new construction of single-family units. The minimum funding award for new construction development is $4 million and the maximum is $20 million.

Eligible applicants for these NOFAs are private nonprofit or for-profit housing developers, units of local government, and public housing authorities. Applications for Affordable Housing Development must be submitted in Lee County’s online portal by June 26.

These funds are part of the $1.1 billion in CDBG-DR funds allocated to Lee County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in Lee County on Sept. 28, 2022.

Under this funding, 51% or more of new multi-family housing units must be occupied by income-eligible households, and 100% of all newly constructed single family housing units must be sold to income-eligible households.

Multi-family development has a per unit subsidy cap of $250,000 and requires a 30- year affordability and restrictive use period. Single-family development has a per unit subsidy cap of $300,000 and requires a 20- year affordability period.

Additional funding for the development of new units may be awarded to future projects, released through another NOFA later, or reallocated to address other urgent needs.

The application portal for the LeeCares Hurricane Ian Housing Recovery Program for individuals remains open. The two programs for which individuals can apply are:

¦ The Housing Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Elevation program may assist income-eligible property owners to repair, replace and/or elevate property that suffered hurricane damage.

¦ The Home Purchase Assistance may assist income-eligible home buyers to purchase a qualifying primary residence outside of the flood zone in Lee County.

To view a full list of eligibility requirements and documents needed to apply, visit www.leeflcares.com . Questions can be emailed to leecares@leegov.com . Individuals also may call 239-382-5453.

Lee County residents will ‘flip’ over reduced adoption fees

Lee County Domestic Animal Services is reducing adoption fees to just $10 with an approved application in preparation for its “Flip This Kennel” competition. This is the 10th annual “Flip This Kennel” event and this year’s theme is “Decades.” Expect to see creative spins on the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and more. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third place and honorable mention in both in-house and Facebook votes.

Visitors to the shelter on Saturday, April 13, can vote for their favorite flip between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. People also can vote on the Animal Services Facebook page, Facebook.com/LeeCountyDomesticAnimalServices/ by liking the picture of a favorite kennel or cattery all day Saturday and Sunday. Winners will be posted on the Facebook page Monday, April 15.

The adoption center at Lee County Domestic Animal Services is open 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, next to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office off Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Available pets can be viewed online at www.leelostpets.com and adoption applications can be submitted online. For more information, call 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS).

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve boardwalk to close for routine repairs

The boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers will close for routine repairs and maintenance beginning Thursday, April 11, and will remain closed for approximately two weeks.

No guided walks will be offered while the boardwalk is closed. However, the Interpretive Center and nature store, and Rock and Stroll Garden, will remain open to visitors. The parking fee will be waived while the boardwalk is closed. The boardwalk is expected to reopen Monday, April 22.

The Interpretive Center and nature store are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Rock and Stroll Garden is open dawn to dusk daily and features picnic tables and native plants to attract birds and butterflies.

For more information about Lee County Parks and Recreation locations, amenities and special events, visit www.leeparks.org , call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@leegov.com .

LeeTran Mobility-on-Demand fares to increase June 3

Fares for LeeTran’s Mobility on Demand Service will increase to $3 on June 3, matching the fares charged by LeeTran’s Paratransit and Transportation Disadvantaged services.

Mobility-On-Demand is offered within designated service zones of Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles are equipped with real-time tracking software that allows passengers to schedule rides at their convenience.

Bonita Springs Mobility-on-Demand service began February 2022 and Lehigh Acres service began February 2023. The demand for this service has continually increased:

¦ Bonita Springs ridership was 1,596 in March 2022 and increased to about 4,300 in December 2023.

¦ Lehigh Acres ridership was 692 in March 2023 and increased to more than 2,000 in December 2023.

Mobility on Demand comes with a greater cost to operate when compared with traditional, fixed-route transit. The fare increase will help offset operating costs not covered by a Florida Department of Transportation grant for Lehigh Acres service or by the county’s interlocal agreement with the City of Bonita Springs. For comparison, Orange County charges a $5 fare for similar service and Miami-Dade and Pinellas counties’ fares are $3.50.

For more information on LeeTran Mobility on-Demand service, visit www.leegov.com/leetran/ultra. ¦

The post NEWS BRIEFS first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .