Local News
Hundreds of new affordable housing units to be built, offers hope to working families in Lee County
Reporter: Camila Pereira
•2/10/2026
Source: WINK News
FORT MYERS, Fla.—Lee County is set to welcome more affordable housing as the Southwest Florida Housing Foundation broke ground on a new project along Summerlin Road.
The Arwyn, a 230-unit affordable family housing community, will replace the former Horizons Apartments, a 170-unit neighborhood in Fort Myers, to meet the growing need.
"Affordable workforce housing is so much needed in Lee County; we can't keep up with the demand," said Marcia Davis, the executive director of the Housing Authority for the City of Fort Myers.
This project is one of many across the county that aim to address the growing demand for affordable housing.
In October, the foundation began construction on Legacy Point, a mixed-income community with 343 units. The Central Pointe Apartments then opened in November, offering 7 income-based two-bedroom units.
Shelton Weeks, Lucas Professor of Real Estate at Florida Gulf Coast University, explained that the surge in these projects is due to increased returns on investment by the state.
"If we're relying only on market-rate apartments and housing to fill the need, we would have a significant portion of our workforce that would not be able to afford housing here in the region," said Weeks.
Weeks also highlighted a shift in rental rates following Hurricane Ian, noting a significant decline.
"In Fort Myers, Cape Coral, we've seen that average number for a rental rate fall from a little over $2,300 a month, to now it's just over $1,800 a month," he said.
Still, many working families struggle to afford their rent.
"Between 40 and 50% of Lee County residents are paying more than 50% of their income to rent, and so that means that you're rent burdened, and so we're trying to make sure there's some affordable options for some of our working families," said Davis.
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers expects the construction of The Arwyn to be completed by late 2027, with families moving in soon after.
Share: