Affordable housing complex for seniors breaks ground in North Fort Myers

County officials said projects like Hermosa community are sorely needed

The last time an affordable rental community was built in North Fort Myers, Bill Clinton was president and had been 15 years since one was built anywhere in unincorporated Lee County.

On Wednesday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the newest community to come to the area, one that will provide affordable housing for area seniors.

All this while work was already starting on the project at 16341 N. Cleveland Ave. which is set to begin welcoming residents early next year.

ReVital Development Group, in collaboration with Birdsong Housing Partners and the Lee County Housing Authority, broke ground on Hermosa, Phase I & II -- a project marking the first new construction affordable housing rental community in North Fort Myers in more than 30 years.

Hermosa, which had been in the works since around 2020, is in response to the desperate need for affordable housing in the area, which has also had to deal with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and hurricanes Helene and Milton this past year. The pandemic didn't help matters either.

Michael Allan, president of ReVital, said they are trying to address all demographics in need of affordable and resilient housing.

"Two weeks ago, we celebrated the opening of Civitas in Cape Coral for the workforce. This one is focused on seniors," Allan said. "We're not only looking for safe and affordable housing, but long-term sustainability. We have a lot of resilient features."

Civitas saw a line of hundreds of people for a pre-leasing event before the grand opening, he said.

"We had people who stayed overnight at the property. Team members worked to make sure everybody in line had an opportunity to talk to them and go through the application process," Allan said. "The need is real and quite significant."

Among those to speak at the groundbreaking was County Commissioner Brian Hamman, who represents North Fort Myers. He said Hermosa is a great opportunity for the area in answer to its lack of affordable housing.

"This will be built to a very strong hurricane code, so it will be safe housing for seniors so they can retire and live here with dignity," Hamman said. "We were able to use some of the Community Development Block Grant money we got after Ian to push this over the finish line."

Hermosa is the first development in Lee County to utilize state and federal recovery funds associated with Hurricane Ian. It's also the first to use benefits under Florida Senate Bill 102, commonly known as the Live Local Act.

Hermosa will feature a 160-unit affordable multifamily residential building designed with environmental sustainability in mind.

This community, exclusively for seniors aged 62 and older, includes a preference for veterans and provides essential affordable housing opportunities for residents earning 60 percent or less of the area median income.

Residents will benefit from a modern clubhouse with a fitness center, business center, and pool, along with free programs like an adult literacy program and assistance with light housekeeping, grocery shopping and laundry.