Gateway spelled out in hedges

There are 260 apartments
holding a little over 300 people--efficiencies, small one bedroom, large one
bedroom, 2 bedroom apartments and one 3 bedroom apartment.  The complex is owned
by the Family of Westminster Communities of Florida Services on the most
desirable property in Fort Lauderdale.

During WW2 they were used for barracks and then
after the war they became condos only to be converted to the current day
apartments and to become government subsidized housing.

Above--the walk way on the south side of
Gateway

The basic requirements to move into Gateway are that
you be over 62 and make less than $14,000 a year income from all sources in
order to be eligible for section 8--for section 202 you can make a little more
money. There are exceptions as one man has his 'caretaker' who is younger, a lot
younger, than 62 and a few make more money.

When you first move in, if
you are single, you get an efficiency or small one bedroom apartment than after
you have lived here for a year you get on the list for a large bedroom
apartment. Couples, whether nongay,
gay (yes, gay--we have anti discrimination laws here in Broward County) or someone with a caretaker
move into a 2 bedroom apartment There are mother and daughter, father and son,
husband and wife, husband and husband but the majority of people are single of
which 24, that I know of, are gay.

Residents range in age from 40+ to 101, male,
female, gay, nongay, all religions and atheists, various nationalities, races
and from all economic levels. Some still have family  while others have none.
Some were 'famous', 'well to do', entertainers, business owners while others
never had anything.

Included in the rent, which is based on 1/3 of  what
your income is from all sources minus medical deductions, is electricity, water,
60 cable stations for $29, a $14 credit on your phone while most get $14 in food
stamps each month. Along with this are government canned commodities such as
fruit, vegetables, etc., every other month. Every Monday to Thursday morning
there are pies, cakes, cookies and bread delivered to the community room and
once a month, if eligible, a 50 pound box of various foods.

Looking
out from my living room (bottom)and a 'backyard' (top)

On the premises are a library, country store, hair
salon, 1/2 a dozen laundry rooms, a community center where luncheons, dinners,
special events, parties, dances, health meetings and free Wheel On Meals are
served.

The staff consists of 4
ladies in the office who handle all social and special services, a maintenance
crew of 7 and many volunteers. Lisa is in charge of the whole operation, Babs
the social worker while Valerie and Alicia handle everything from the apartment
aspects.             

There is a swimming pool
and a picnic area over looking Karen Bay. We have a breezeway where barbecue's
and exercise classes  are held and some people get together around sunset just
to talk and, once in awhile, have cocktails.

There are alcoholics,
smokers, addicts, ex addicts, alcoholics, smokers. There are young 70 years
olds and old 70 year olds--some people use walkers while others
don't, the 'in' thing now is an electric wheelchair so you have to be careful
when you are walking. Many are bicycle riders while others walk a couple of
miles a day. States of health range from remarkable to almost ready to be moved
to a nursing home.

Gateway Terrace apartments/Karen Bay from the
air (left)

My backyard looking from my window

As diverse as the community is most everyone gets
along and respects each other but like in every community there are those that
complain and are unhappy. They don't realize how fortunate there is a place like
Gateway for them in their old years instead of being homeless or living with
relatives who don't want them.

Personally I feel it is the best thing that could
have happened to me when I was on the verge of being homeless, getting old,
being alone and having no where to go. I have been here now for 10 years,
starting my eleventh year at the end of May, and I haven't a single
complaint.