Fort Myers housing complex schedules AC repairs after 2 months of heat

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Residents at the Landings at East Pointe received notices Wednesday morning saying new air conditioning units are scheduled to be installed starting this week.

Many residents have been without working units for weeks, forcing families to rely on portable air conditioners in single rooms.

Mylissa Beard, a resident at the complex, showed WINK News why her family has been sleeping in the living room. Using an infrared thermometer inside Beard's apartment Wednesday, the device registered 90 degrees on the wall and 84 degrees where her one-year-old sleeps.

"It's hot, it's super hot, like I'm in a volcano hot," Beard said.

The only relief comes from a portable air conditioner struggling to cool the space.

"It's working so hard that it's not even cool," Beard said. "He has to literally sit in front of the AC."

Beard woke up Wednesday morning to a notice saying her new air conditioner is scheduled to be installed Friday. After waiting two months for repairs, she said she's cautiously optimistic.

"I'm so excited," Beard said. "I just really hope they come through."

She questioned why action came so quickly after WINK News got involved.

"I've been begging for two months for you to fix this," Beard said. "The minute I talk to WINK News, now you want to do something."

Multiple residents sent installation notices to WINK News showing crews are expected to start Thursday and continue through the weekend. Beard said Friday's installation can't come soon enough.

"I really hope, because this is like sitting in hell," Beard said.

The Fort Myers Housing Authority is working to provide information about how many air conditioning units still need to be replaced and when every request will be completed.