08/23/2011 - 08/23/2011 - News-Press covers our opposition to the conversion: Neighbors say apartments a threat
07/26/2011 - 33919 United writes the Florida Housing Finance Corporation with a FOIA request for records pertaining to the HACFM's Horizon Apartments property.
07/19/2011 - 33919 writes the HACFM with FOIA requests for records related to HACFM's purchase, financing and funding (for the period 2000-2011) of Horizons Apartments, in addition to records detailing the Horizons Apartments mortgage payoff and 2011 renovation. 33919 United also requested HACFM records (including HUD correspondence) establishing the legal basis and methodology of the application of HOPE VI (Michigan Court) grant funds to Horizons Apartments liabilities, as well as records documenting Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) related to Horizon Apartments for the period 2000-2011.
07/26/2011 - 33919 United writes the Florida Housing Finance Corporation with a FOIA request for records pertaining to the HACFM's Horizon Apartments property.
07/19/2011 - 33919 writes the HACFM with FOIA requests for records related to HACFM's purchase, financing and funding (for the period 2000-2011) of Horizons Apartments, in addition to records detailing the Horizons Apartments mortgage payoff and 2011 renovation. 33919 United also requested HACFM records (including HUD correspondence) establishing the legal basis and methodology of the application of HOPE VI (Michigan Court) grant funds to Horizons Apartments liabilities, as well as records documenting Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) related to Horizon Apartments for the period 2000-2011.
07/19/2011 - 33919 writes HUD (Miami) inquiring as to: 1.) The legal foundation upon which HUD authorized the diversion of HOPE VI funds (Michigan Court) to a non-HOPE VI Public Housing project (Horizons Apartments). 2.) HUD’s failure to compel HACFM to return the surplus so that the funds could be re-applied within their intended scope of HOPE VI. 3.) As development at Michigan Court remains underway, the method by which HACFM and HUD were able to establish that a surplus of funds indeed existed, before completion (and full accounting) of the Michigan Court project.
07/11/2011 - Jeanne Dozier (Lee County School Board Member, District 2) informs us that she's been in contact with the Mayor, City Council and intends to raise the issue with the HACFM, other board members and (new) superintendent, Dr. Burke, this week. Jeanne related that she feels the board has a responsibility to maintain the safety of the children of the school.
07-08-2011 - Why, after pursuing 33919 United for weeks, did Waterman Broadcasting (owner of both NBC-2 and ABC-7) suddenly decide to kill the story and cancel our pending interviews?
07-08-2011 - Sara Miles (NBC-2) had been planning to interview 33919 United for over 2 weeks, but after not hearing from her for several days, she wrote us on Friday stating "I really want to talk to your group and get your message out, but it seems like my station is no longer receptive to it." NBC-2 is owned by Waterman Broadcasting.
07-06-2011 - Sam Cook of the News-Press tells 33919 United that "our assistant managing editor Sheldon Zoldan said we've been writing about this topic for four months" and is not interested in the story. While the News-Press may have documented the Horizon conversion to public housing, it has not written a word regarding the Tanglewood and Whiskey Creek communities opposition to it. Update: The News-Press wrote a story 08/23/11 covering our opposition to the conversion.
07-05-2011 - Travell Eiland (ABC-7) called at 9:00am to arrange a 10:00am interview with 33919 United, then called back at 9:20am to cancel because "his producers had told him to kill the story because we couldn't stop the HACFM - that it was a 'done deal.'" ABC-7 is owned by Waterman Broadcasting.
Travell also mentioned that the HACFM's response to our concerns was that Horizons Apartments had already been public housing. 33919 United went on to refute the claim explaining that the Horizons market-mix was 80% market-rate (non-assisted) and 20% section 8 (not considered low-income housing) when the complex was purchased by the HACFM in 2000, and it remained that way until now; a very different thing from 100% low-income Public Housing, especially when considering an undisclosed number of apartments will be rented at $50 per month (as per the HACFM).
See: http://www.nbc-2.com/story/13951941/2011/02/01/horizons-apartments-becoming-public-housing
06/30/2011 - Robert Gardner, Director of Community Development, City of Ft Myers, informed us that the City Manager, William "Billy" Mitchell, has no authority to influence the operations of the Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers (HACFM). Robert went on to say that City Council (contact: Forrest Banks, Councilman, Ward 5) has a contract with the HACFM (to provide public housing) and as such, may have authority to intervene in their actions. (We have received no reply from Councilman Banks.)
06/26/2011 - Website 33919united.com launched.
06/24/2011 - We are informed by Lee County Commissioner Brian Bigelow, District 2, that "he hopes to schedule a meeting with the Housing Authority, City representatives, County Management and the City/County Attorneys in August to discuss the issue." As August will be too late, we asked that he reschedule the meeting; we have received no reply.
06/23/2011 - Thomas Scott, Chairman of the Lee County School Board, informs us that "The complex is owned by the Housing Authority and they are permitted to use the property for any purpose for which it is zoned, including public housing. Therefore, the Lee County School District has no authority to act on the intended use other than to communicate concerns that have been expressed to us on the matter."
06/20/2011 - We learn that Mayor Randy Henderson delegated the issue to the City Manager, William "Billy" Mitchell, who in turn delegated it to the Assistant City Manager, Marc Collins, who then delegated it to the Director of Community Development, Robert Gardner - who instructed us that he is attempting to schedule a meeting between the City Manager, Mr. Mitchell, and the HACFM. (As of 06/30/2011 this meeting did not occur.)
06/15/2011 - Jeanne Dozier, Lee County School Board member, District 2, informs us: "I agree with you and will contact the Ft. Myers City Council and urge them to reconsider this action. We want to ensure that our children are safe and have an environment that is productive for learning."
05/31/2011 - Alane Adams, Principal, Tanglewood Elementary School, writes us that neither she, nor the School Board were informed by the HACFM of their converting Horizons Apartments to low-income public housing; and that she learned of the plan while watching a news broadcast, subsequently alerting the Board and parents of the students.
05/25/2011 - 33919 United writes Mayor Randy Henderson, Jr with appeal for intervention on behalf of the children of Tanglewood School.
05/19/2011 - The Housing Authority of the City of Ft Myers replies to our letter of 05/10/2011.
05/10/2011 - 33919 United writes the HACFM for clarification of HOPE VI (Michigan Court Grant) attribution of funds to Horizon Apartments low-income housing conversion.
04/19/2011 - Tanglewood HOA and Whiskey Creek Civic Association meeting with the HACFM. Speaking and taking questions were the HACFM Executive Director, Marcus Goodson, and the HACFM Director of Housing Management/Maintenance, Sherri Campanale.
03/31/2011 - 33919 United established.
02/01/2011 - Horizons Apts. Becoming Public Housing
