Local foundation working to provide affordable housing for people with disabilities

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LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Affordable housing is coming to those who need it the most.

Brandon Cardin has cerebral palsy, and needs a home that’s accessible for the disabled. He says it’s very tough to find that kind of housing, that’s affordable, in this area.

“The prices are just outrageous, it is very frustrating,” said Cardin.

The Affordable Homeownership Foundation kept hearing the same thing.

“Investors have come in and purchased all of the foreclosures,” said Lois Healy. “With the prices of affordable housing going from $650 to $1,200 a month, that is no longer affordable.”

The group is now acquiring homes, to fix and make them accessible for the disabled.

On Monday, a landscaping company donated manpower to cut out brush and over-hanging trees from a duplex acquired in downtown Fort Myers.

It will have ramps, grab bars in the bathrooms, and other things, required by federal laws on disabled access. In a few weeks, as many as four people will move into the duplex, paying about $550 a month rent per unit.

“It’s close to my heart, because I see people suffering every day, and not having anywhere to go,” said Healy.

Those who work with the disabled are thrilled:

“This is a brand new initiative, you won’t find anything like it to date,” said Renee Sluzalis with the Center for Independent Living.

The duplex will be just the start for the foundation which gets no government support, only private donations.

“We’re hoping to do this year between 15 and 20, depending on how many we get donated, and the price of the land,” said Healy.

Cardin hopes to get a shot at renting one of the rehabbed homes.

“It’s a great thing,” he said.

The housing foundation is looking beyond Lee County. It has its eye on some properties in both Collier and Charlotte Counties.

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