Goodwill’s Country Cove apartments officially celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, October 29, with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the

apartment complex common area. It is located at 423 Gerald Ave. in Lehigh.

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce helped Country Cove residents cut the ribbon, as representatives from Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and its board of directors looked on.

Country Cove provides 14 one- and two-bedroom units for people with disabilities. Residents are required to have a medically-certified physical

disability, must meet income requirements, and pass a background check in order to qualify for Goodwill housing.

Resident Rita Harmon moved into her Country Cove apartment in September. She applied for Goodwill housing because of her difficulties with osteoarthritis.

For Harmon, Country Cove ends a struggle with trying to find affordable housing.

“I could not be happier if I had designed this place myself.” Harmon said.

“It’s exactly as it should be. I love the location, the peace and quiet, and the amenities. It makes life so much easier.”

Goodwill Housing communities are specifically designed for people with disabilities. The one- and two- bedroom residences are constructed with

conveniences like lowered sinks, countertops, and mirrors, along with accessible appliances, assistance railings, and easy roll-in showers.

Goodwill is Southwest Florida’s largest provider of income-subsidized housing for people with disabilities. Goodwill’s operates twelve apartment complexes in the five counties that Goodwill serves. Another complex, Palmetto Ranch, is nearly completed in LaBelle.

Jean Devereaux, a member of Goodwill’s Board of Directors and chair of its HUD Housing Committee, expressed her pride in the agency’s housing

mission.

“Fourteen years ago, we started discussing housing, and in a way, it was like having a child,” Devereaux explains. “Here we are, all these years later, and now our baby has grown to twelve complexes.”

Country Cove is Goodwill’s second housing complex in Lehigh Acres. Glendale Village off of Beth Stacey Blvd. opened its doors in April, 2001.

The demand for Goodwill housing remains high– currently, all of Goodwill’s apartment complexes are filled with a waiting list of approximately 500

persons.

Funding for the construction of Country Cove was made possible through a HUD grant and with SHIP funding.