Housing Authority, City of Fort Myers receives $2 million in funding for Greater Dunbar Initiative

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Sept. 5, 2023 - PRLog -- The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers has been awarded $2 million in funding to support a major revitalization project within the greater Dunbar community.

Sen. Jonathan Martin and State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka presented the check to the Housing Authority on Aug. 31 at its office in Fort Myers. Housing Authority staff and board members, Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields, Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Aderson and other local community leaders were all present to celebrate this milestone.

"Being a small part of an appropriation that will go toward providing brick-and-mortar housing for our seniors in need is incredibly rewarding," said Persons-Mulicka. "This is why we serve in Tallahassee – so that we can fight for our community and bring home needed funds."

Martin and Persons-Mulicka championed an appropriation from the federal government, securing $2 million to support the third phase of The Greater Dunbar Initiative. The third phase includes the construction of 80 senior housing units for low-income seniors ages 62 years and up and gives them access to case management services, social activities and ongoing classes.

"As we grow and continue to improve, we don't want to lose the things that make Southwest Florida special, like its rich history, the relationships and the people who call this place their home," said Martin. "I hope that Southwest Florida continues to maintain the close-knit community that I experienced when I moved here."

The Greater Dunbar Initiative is a comprehensive transformation plan for the large-scale revitalization of the 37-acre, 199-unit Southward Village into a mixed-income community, which improves existing affordable housing units for residents while expanding choices, creating market-rate amenities, and adding new mixed-income housing to create a resilient and healthy neighborhood moving forward. The initiative aims to tie together market preferences, resident needs and community reinvestment to transform the community into an equitable, desirable and proud neighborhood that meets the needs of all residents.

"We are so thankful for Rep. Persons-Mulicka and Sen. Martin's support of the Housing Authority and our revitalization plans for the Dunbar area. This truly wouldn't be possible without their dedication to our local community," said Marcia Davis, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. "It is very important to all of us that seniors in our local community have quality, affordable housing options in their final stages of life, and these funds will help us provide that for them."

To learn more about The Greater Dunbar Initiative, visit www.HACFM.org or call 239-344-3220.