The Entrance

Gateway spelled out in hedges soon to be decorated with Christmas lights.

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 in an area called Victoria Park.

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, for a single person, 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, sister and sister but the majority of people are single of which 34, that I know
of, are gay.

In 1999 I moved into
a small one bedroom apartment and then in 2004 I moved into my current
one large bedroom apartment overlooking canals, yachts and $million+
homes.

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, 64 cable
stations for $29, a $14 credit on your phone while most get $16 in food
stamps each month. Along with this are government canned commodities
plus fruits, vegetables, etc., every  month. Every Monday to
Thursday morning there are pies, cakes, cookies and bread delivered to
the community room from a local supermarket and once a month, if
eligible, a 50 pound box of
various foods. This week most of us will be getting a complete
Thanksgiving dinner including a whole, turkey, potatoes, stuffing (or
dressing, depending upon where you live LOL), rolls, pumpkin pie, etc.

Looking out from my first apartment living room window (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 for those who need them.

The staff consists of 5 ladies
in the office who handle all social and special services, a maintenance
crew of 7, who are always there when needed, and many volunteers. Suzanne is in charge of the whole operation,
Babs the social worker while Barbara, Janet 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,  ex-smokers, obese and thin people. There are young 70
year 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 or hospice.

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 11 years  and I haven't a single complaint.

LIVING WELL, AND HAVING GOOD, CLOSE FRIENDS, IS THE BEST REVENGE.

I HAVE LEARNED HOW TO PISS PEOPLE OFF--BEING HAPPY!