The ailing Jones Walker low-income apartments are a step closer to losing their HUD contract as the complex receives a failing inspection score.
Jones Walker failed its HUD inspection scoring 44 out of 100.
Sunrise Towers' owner doesn't want to renew his HUD contract.
About 40 Sunrise tenants will receive housing choice vouchers after December to help them move.
A Fort Myers affordable housing project is closer to losing its federal funding after failing an inspection by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Jones Walker, known locally as the Shack, scored 44 points out of 100 on a Sept. 6 inspection, according to Sen. Marco Rubio's office. The 80 apartments house some of the region's poorest residents.
More: Fort Myers wants to move Jones Walker residents – but where?
If Treetop fails the re-inspection, HUD can pull its contract and provide vouchers to the tenants to relocate, while Treetop would be required to pay their moving costs.
Recently, city code enforcers inspected the progress of repairs on 45 units cited for a variety of violations and piled new fines on top of those accrued since June, bringing the total to over $250,000.
Breakdown of Jones Walker liens.
Mayor Randy Henderson returned Tuesday night from a visit with Rubio in Washington, D.C., feeling "optimistic for finding relief for our citizens at Jones Walker," he said by email. Henderson plans a news release or briefing about the case soon.
Treetop Regional Manager Naftali Levenbrown, who's been overseeing the work, expressed his surprise to the city's code enforcement board last week as it fined his company for work it had been given six months to complete.
"We were told we would have six months to do the work. We have it in writing," said Levenbrown, who doesn't believe the HUD contract will be an issue.
"Note, this property has not lost its (HUD) contract yet, and if the management can get the property to proper safe and sanitary standards, tenants will not have to find alternative housing," Perez-Cubas said.
But is the company being given enough time?
Jones Walker was used hard for decades by four owners before Treetop, who invested little in the circa 1970 buildings. The company could spend a million or more to make up the deficit, based on permits pulled.
"The owner is committed to doing the work."
"The owner is committed to doing the work," said John Tobler, whose Fort Myers firm is the main contractor on a long list of repairs.
Contrary to what residents have called patchwork, Tobler said his crew is replacing all the pipes in each upstairs and downstairs unit where a problem is identified, so new leaks won't occur.
Code enforcement usually cuts some slack if it sees good progress is being made, the contractor said. But if it was supportive before, with pressure being applied from state legislators all the way to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, it is no longer.
Rubio and the mayor also discussed another of the city's low income projects, Sunrise Towers, whose myriad problems came to light when a staircase collapsed last June.
Sunrise owner Watersong Realty Series of Coral Springs bought the property two years ago and, like Treetop, has been pumping funds into long overdue repairs as the city brings pressure to bear.
"New security cameras, new playground and landscaping, all new air conditioning," said Anita Mitchell, a Watersong spokeswoman, listing recent investments worth $250,000.
Sunrise, which gets a subsidy from HUD for 42 of its 92 units, told the agency it's not interested in renewing its contract, which expires in December, according to HUD spokeswoman Gloria Shanahan.
"Eligible tenants ... will receive housing choice vouchers, which will be administered by the local housing authority," Shanahan said.
Meanwhile, Sunrise's owner is still on the hook for 24 open code violations, city spokeswoman Stephanie Schaffer said.
Treetop doesn't appear to have given up on Jones Walker.
"I cook with three burners because this one doesn't work.
As if underlining his comment, trash was strewn across the entire property awaiting one of three on-site property managers to pick it up.
Lee's unit still awaits repairs. The mother of three said she's counting the days when she can get a housing voucher so she can move.
Follow this reporter on Twitter @PatriciaBorns. For news tips call 239-839-5931.