Costs spike for Bonita low-income housing

Even cheap homes ain't cheap.

Fill costs that have doubled in the past 10 months have caused the cost of Pueblo Bonito's third phase of housing for low-income families to skyrocket past original estimates, according to Rick Miller, the developer for Pueblo Bonito.

The third phase of Pueblo Bonito will now cost $400,000 more than expected, and since the development falls under Housing and Urban Development standards, rent can't be pushed up to offset costs, Miller said.

The third phase of Pueblo Bonito will provide homes for 30 families, according to a letter written to the city by David Hanson, president of the Partnership in Housing, Inc.

Residents began moving into Pueblo Bonito in 1999. There is a mix of 100 farm worker and low-income units in the development, Hanson said.

The Bonita Springs City Council previously gave Pueblo Bonito near $200,000 in impact fee credits for the project, said Assistant City Manager Barbara Barnes Buchanan. The city's budget also allows for Pueblo Bonito to appeal for an additional $200,000 loan, she said.

An additional $200,000 loan would need to be added to fulfill the development's request. Barnes Buchanan suggested the item be placed on the next council agenda to allow for public comment.

"In the future I think on these affordable housing issues, we need to have these people really look at these designs," said Councilman Ben Nelson, who also owns contracting company Nelson Marine.

Options to cut cost, such as getting fill from deepening retention ponds and using natural landscaping, won't be possible anymore because of time constraints, Nelson said.

The council members seemed to favor the idea of loaning Pueblo Bonito the additional $200,000, but the item will be revisited on July 5.