Early next year, Key West will lose the 46 beds designated for assisted living that are currently located on the third floor of Poinciana Gardens Senior Living Facility on Duck Avenue.
On Aug. 26, the board of the Key West Housing Authority voted unanimously to convert the facility from assisted living to a rest home for seniors, meaning the 46 assisted-living beds on the third floor will be converted to independent living apartments for seniors over 55.
“This decision marks the conclusion of a seven-year effort by KWHA to maintain operations at the facility,” states a press release issued by the housing authority. “Unfortunately, since its opening in 2018, some of the third-floor units have remained unoccupied, which indicates that two market studies did not accurately reflect the demand for assisted-living services in Key West. Additionally, the City of Key West, Monroe County and the KWHA have invested over $9 million to offset the facility’s financial shortfall. KWHA, as an independent governmental entity, has no taxing power and relies primarily on the affordable rents collected from its units; therefore, continuing to subsidize these losses could adversely affect the operations of more than 1,900 affordable housing units managed by the KWHA.”
The decision was not popular with Key West commissioner Monica Haskell, who expressed concern at the Sept. 3 commission meeting about the need to relocate the 31 residents in the assisted-living units.
For those who cannot move in with family locally, the closest assisted-living facility is in Dade County, housing authority executive director Randy Sterling told the Keys Weekly.
Sterling emphasized at this week’s commission meeting that his agency is providing 141 days notice to those residents and their families and will host a provider services event this month so families can arrange for “a la carte” services that they will pay for individually for their loved one should they choose to remain at Poinciana Gardens. But Sterling emphasized that the financial losses of the assisted-living beds cannot be maintained without jeopardizing the housing authority’s other operations.
“Instead of the housing authority providing services, residents can still get those services; they’ll just have to get them on their own,” said commissioner Lissette Carey, who works at the housing authority and has been meeting with all the affected families. “Some residents may need to move to a skilled nursing facility, and on the second floor (which currently includes supported-living apartments that provide laundry, meals and housekeeping services), some residents are grateful for the reduced rent that will come with the elimination of those services, which family members can now take on themselves.”
What the conversion means
- The facility will continue to serve seniors aged 55 and older as a rest home.
- First-floor residents: No changes to services or residency.
- Second-floor residents: Will see a reduction in monthly rent as in-house services (meals, laundry, housekeeping) will be discontinued. KWHA will host a provider services fair in September, connecting residents with local providers for those who wish to remain on property while being responsible for their own services via the private market, based on each individual’s needs.
- Third-floor residents: Will be most affected, as relocation may be required for those in need of 24-hour care. KWHA said it is committed to supporting all affected individuals through this transition. Per Florida statute, 45 days’ written notice is required for termination of residency; however affected residents are receiving 141 days’ notice.
The 46 units on the third floor will be converted into affordable independent living units for low- and median-income residents 55 and older. With 578 applicants on the waiting list for first-floor independent living units, this conversion will create an opportunity for 46 of those applicants to secure affordable housing in Key West once the conversion is completed.
“This decision was not made lightly by the board, but because the current … agreement with the city and county expires on Sept. 30, 2025, the housing authority has no choice but to convert the use of the building,” said Sterling. “The housing authority is committed to supporting our residents during this change and to continuing our mission of providing safe, affordable housing for the citizens of Key West and the Florida Keys.”
