Goodwill Cuts Ribbon on Apartments for People with Physical Disabilities

CLEWISTON, Fla. - Aug. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Affordable, disability-accessible housing is now available in Clewiston.  Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida has cut the ribbon on Sweetwater Place, an income-subsidized apartment complex for people with physical disabilities.

Sweetwater Place is Goodwill’s fifteenth housing complex in Southwest Florida, and first in Clewiston.  In Hendry County, the organization also operates Palmetto Ranch, a 28-unit complex in LaBelle.

“Goodwill and our board of directors made a commitment several years ago to expand our services in Hendry County,” says Goodwill COO Rick Evanchyk.  “Since then, we have grown our retail stores in Clewiston and LaBelle, opened Job-Link centers in both cities, and now we will have affordable, accessible housing in both, as well.”

Sweetwater Place offers 14 HUD-approved units specially designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities.  Accessible apartments are constructed with conveniences like assistance railings, widened doorways, roll-in showers, and lowered sinks, countertops, and mirrors. Goodwill’s barrier-free housing communities also have on-site community rooms, a laundry room and a picnic/patio area.

“I have to go to the hospital a lot for my visits,” says Sweetwater resident Elizabeth Johnson. “This is so close for me now. I really like it here.”

Sweetwater Place is located on West Ventura Ave., two blocks west of Berner Rd.

Construction of the apartment complex was completed by Westco Builders of Florida, Inc. The complex was designed by Associates in Architecture.

Applicants interested in living in Goodwill’s housing must meet medical and income requirements, and must pass a background check to be considered for residency.  For more application guidelines, call Morgan Puletti at (863) 674-5779.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is committed to assisting people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to independence. The revenue generated in the organization’s 30 Retail & Donation Centers supports programs such as the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy charter school for students with developmental disabilities, the Goodwill MicroEnterprise Institute, and Goodwill Job-Link Centers. Last year, Goodwill assisted over 37,000 individuals throughout Southwest Florida. For more information visit www.goodwillswfl.org

Goodwill’s housing division, Southwest Florida GWI Housing, provides barrier-free housing for persons with physical disabilities providing the opportunity for affordable, convenient, independent living to enhance the overall quality of life.