Lee Commissioners award more than $41.6M for rehabilitation of affordable housing units

Lee Commissioners award more than $41.6M for rehabilitation of affordable housing units

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to award more than $41.6 million in Community Development Block Grants-Disaster Recovery funds for six multi-family housing rehabilitation projects for 836 affordable housing units.

Through a competitive application process, CDBG-DR funding was made available to public housing authorities, for-profit developers and not-for-profit developers.

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.

The rehabilitation projects awarded funding are:

¦ Dunbar Improvement Association, Inc. – Palm City Garden Apartments, Fort Myers, 100 units. The project includes but is not limited to, remaining kitchen renovations, HVAC duct replacement, soffit replacement, water heaters, bathroom renovations, interior and exterior painting, flooring, interior doors, interior hardware/shelving, window replacement and a generator.

¦ Lee County Housing Authority – Pine Echo Apartments, North Fort Myers, has 92 units. The project includes but is not limited to, a new generator at each property, replacing all plumbing and electrical fixtures, replacing water heaters, replacing windows, repairing sidewalks and updating ADA units, replacing HVAC, remodeling kitchens, repairing fencing, remodeling the community building and bringing it up to ADA code, and creating a new playground and landscaping/irrigation.

¦ Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation – Landings at East Point, Fort Myers, 126 units. Significant roof damage has led to water intrusion and damaged interior units. All roofs are to be replaced. All interior units will be rehabilitated with new appliances and replacement of the interior cabinets and countertops. HVAC systems (air handlers and dehumidifier units) are to be replaced. A mold mitigation budget per unit will added until all discoveries in walls are concluded; some units may require additional mitigation.

¦ Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation – East Point Place (Phase 1), Fort Myers, 86 units. This project addresses post-storm water intrusion issues and damages caused by Hurricane Ian. It includes replacing or installing cabinets, countertops, non-functional appliances, water heaters and dehumidifiers.

¦ Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation – Broadway Apartments, Fort Myers, 40 units. Work includes installation of new kitchen cabinets, replacement of kitchen countertops with solid surface materials, upgrading kitchen sinks and faucets, installation of new bathroom vanities, countertops, and faucets, renovation or replacement of toilets and tub/shower areas, removal of existing carpeting and installation of vinyl plank wood flooring, replacement of appliances including range, refrigerator, and water heater, and upgrading electric panels or HVAC systems as necessary. Implementation of mold remediation procedures if required.

¦ The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers – Renaissance Preserve (Family), Fort Myers, has 392 units. These units have been identified as requiring urgent repairs due to post-storm water intrusion issues and other damages incurred during Hurricane Ian. The plan also includes replacing all roofs with metal, repairing and replacing damaged kitchens, hardening roofs as they are restored, and installing dehumidifiers.

These awards were made under a Notice of Funding Availability open from December 5, 2023, through March 1, 2024. For more information, consult the county’s CDBG-DR Affordable Housing Development and Preservation web page at cdbgdr.leegov.com/pages/427437bc4772406e9f128adc6d425155

Comprehensive and detailed information about Lee County’s Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan, program allocations, activities and expenditures is provided on the county’s website at cdbgdr.leegov.com ¦

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