On Friday, the City of Fort Myers Celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its first affordable home construction program, marking a new beginning for the selected family. The family wasted no time moving furniture into their home.
"It's a special day today, especially for Ward 3. I have a new constituent in my ward and these are the things that we're trying to do for our community homeownership," said Terolyn Watson, City of Fort Myers Councilwoman for Ward 3.
Dozens of city leaders made their way to the home on Lincoln Boulevard Friday afternoon, celebrating the completion of Fort Myers' first single-family home in their program.
"Homeownership is very important for the City of Fort Myers and for the people that live here; I want to welcome Latisha here in Ward 3 in the City of Fort Myers," said Watson.
More than 300 families filled out applications for the home in July, demand was so high the city had to shut their website down.
"It's not going to solve the issue, but you know it solved the issue for Latisha," said Mayor Kevin Anderson.
Mayor Kevin Anderson knows how much this means to Latisha Jewett and her family especially with Christmas right around the corner.
"She's in a home now that she's, her mortgage, is less than her rent, that's a good thing to have happen, and now she's in a position to start building her own generational wealth to have her son in a more stable living situation, I mean it's just a win all the way around," said Anderson.
A memory Mayor Anderson is hoping she never forgets.
"They built a house, but she's going to turn it into a home," he added.
NBC2 asked Mayor Anderson if the city will reopen applications online for this program, because of the overwhelming response back in July, they plan on going through the 300 applications for the next home available.
Anderson says the city's goal is to build 6 affordable homes each year.
NBC2 did ask the homeowner for an interview, but she declined,