The Saint Peter Claver Apartment Complex in Fort Myers is expanding, marking a significant development in the community’s affordable housing landscape.
On Thursday morning, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new phase of the project to announced the addition of 72 more units to the complex.
The complex currently offers 136 apartments, which were highly sought after with more than 1,500 applications received during the first phase. This left over 1,300 applicants without a place to call home.
Rick Miller, president of the National Development of America Inc., emphasized the affordability of the units.
“The rent ranges from $630 a month, to approximately $1,250 a month which probably is less than half of what a market rate apartment would cost,” said Miller. “We could fill up a couple thousand units if we had them today.”
The project’s journey to this point has been lengthy, taking over nine years to overcome numerous challenges and secure funding. Community leaders and developers persevered with the understanding that affordable housing is crucial for local residents.
“To get to this point, a lot of commitment from the city of Fort Myers, to transform a vacant lot into what you see here today,” said a spokesperson involved with the project.
They also highlighted the pressing demand for housing due to the area’s growing population.
“It’s very challenging… there’s anywhere from 78 to 96 people a day moving the economy, that puts a great demand on housing. And it’s the workforce in the lower income people who are being squeezed out,” they said.
The company behind the Saint Peter Apartment Complex is also addressing housing needs in Immokalee and Lehigh, demonstrating their commitment to tackling the housing crisis in the region.