Man with disability gets no break from apartment complex

[Guest guest]

http://www.news-press.com/article/20081016/COLUMNISTS40/810160366/1075 & referrer=\

FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

This column is about a problem not many readers will have. But for one

person - Steve Andrees - it's a really big deal.

Andrees is developmentally delayed. The 42-year-old man functions at

the level of a precocious 5-year-old.

All he wanted to do was to live independently, but, along the way, he

made a mistake. And now the managers of Iona Lakes Apartments in south

Fort Myers are threatening to take him to court and turn him over to a

collection agency because he had to break his lease or lose his job

and new-found social life.

Even though Andrees had a job with Publix in Cape Coral for 15 years,

until recently he wasn't allowed to do much on his own.

His father drove him to and from work. He hung out with his dad in a

55-plus community in south Fort Myers.

The Andreeses' lives changed when they met a couple of

years ago. identified with the two because she has a daughter

with developmental disabilities. She, like everyone else, called the

son " Stevie " and dad " Corky. "

" I'm a big advocate for people with disabilities, " said , who is

a real estate agent. " When I meet people with adult, disabled

children, I know the biggest thing they can do for them is cut them

loose. "

That's the reason and a friend started to help Andrees gain

independence from his dad. and another friend, , got

Andrees involved in the Center for Independent Living and Special

Olympics. set up transportation with LeeTran Passport, which

provides rides for people who can't use regular public transportation.

Passport allows Andrees to get to work and to new activities.

Andrees' move toward independence took a significant turn in August

when his dad died. Andrees started making decisions for himself. And

one of those decisions was to move out of his dad's home.

found Andrees a one-bedroom, 800-square-foot rental for $625 a

month at Iona Lakes Apartments.

Andrees paid a security deposit and first month's rent. But when

called to arrange for a different pick up for his bus to work, she

found that the apartment complex was outside of Passport's service

area. There was no way Andrees could live at Iona Lakes and get to

work at Publix or to Special Olympics and to the Center for

Independent Living, where he is learning how to read.

When told the leasing agent Bonnette that Andrees would

have to break the lease, she was told that wasn't possible. They were

holding Andrees financially responsible for the full 12-month lease.

I thought for sure Iona Lakes would understand and make some

accommodation for Andrees. But Bonnette, quickly told me:

" Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. " Then she took my

number and said someone would call me back.

No one did. So I called again. " We have no comment, " Bonnette said.

Andrees, however, got an eviction notice.

I can't imagine the property management company dragging someone like

Andrees into court and siccing a collection agency on him, but that's

what it has threatened to do.

Times are tough and businesses are suffering. But I have to believe

that letting Andrees out of this lease would pose little hardship on

Iona Lakes. Shame on them for not being flexible enough to bend the

rules for a man who is desperately trying to make it in the world

despite some major impediments.

[Guest guest]

I wonder if he could sublet the apartment and by doing so not break the original lease?G.Subject: Man with disability gets no break from apartment complexTo: sList Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 7:57 AM

http://www.news- press.com/ article/20081016 /COLUMNISTS40/ 810160366/ 1075 & referrer= FRONTPAGECAROUSE L

This column is about a problem not many readers will have. But for one

person - Steve Andrees - it's a really big deal.

Andrees is developmentally delayed. The 42-year-old man functions at

the level of a precocious 5-year-old.

All he wanted to do was to live independently, but, along the way, he

made a mistake. And now the managers of Iona Lakes Apartments in south

Fort Myers are threatening to take him to court and turn him over to a

collection agency because he had to break his lease or lose his job

and new-found social life.

Even though Andrees had a job with Publix in Cape Coral for 15 years,

until recently he wasn't allowed to do much on his own.

His father drove him to and from work. He hung out with his dad in a

55-plus community in south Fort Myers.

The Andreeses' lives changed when they met a couple of

years ago. identified with the two because she has a daughter

with developmental disabilities. She, like everyone else, called the

son "Stevie" and dad "Corky."

"I'm a big advocate for people with disabilities, " said , who is

a real estate agent. "When I meet people with adult, disabled

children, I know the biggest thing they can do for them is cut them

loose."

That's the reason and a friend started to help Andrees gain

independence from his dad. and another friend, , got

Andrees involved in the Center for Independent Living and Special

Olympics. set up transportation with LeeTran Passport, which

provides rides for people who can't use regular public transportation.

Passport allows Andrees to get to work and to new activities.

Andrees' move toward independence took a significant turn in August

when his dad died. Andrees started making decisions for himself. And

one of those decisions was to move out of his dad's home.

found Andrees a one-bedroom, 800-square-foot rental for $625 a

month at Iona Lakes Apartments.

Andrees paid a security deposit and first month's rent. But when

called to arrange for a different pick up for his bus to work, she

found that the apartment complex was outside of Passport's service

area. There was no way Andrees could live at Iona Lakes and get to

work at Publix or to Special Olympics and to the Center for

Independent Living, where he is learning how to read.

When told the leasing agent Bonnette that Andrees would

have to break the lease, she was told that wasn't possible. They were

holding Andrees financially responsible for the full 12-month lease.

I thought for sure Iona Lakes would understand and make some

accommodation for Andrees. But Bonnette, quickly told me:

"Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done." Then she took my

number and said someone would call me back.

No one did. So I called again. "We have no comment," Bonnette said.

Andrees, however, got an eviction notice.

I can't imagine the property management company dragging someone like

Andrees into court and siccing a collection agency on him, but that's

what it has threatened to do.

Times are tough and businesses are suffering. But I have to believe

that letting Andrees out of this lease would pose little hardship on

Iona Lakes. Shame on them for not being flexible enough to bend the

rules for a man who is desperately trying to make it in the world

despite some major impediments.