FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jeanne Keyser of Fort Myers admitted she has been close to being homeless a few times since Hurricane Ian claimed her home over a year ago. Now she fears she could be homeless again.

Rising rent is making it difficult for many people to stay in their homes. The City of Fort Myers thought it had a plan to help by making vouchers available to help cover the rising cost for those who qualified.

The city set aside a chunk of money to help people pay their rent. The problem is very few landlords and leasing companies are accepting it, and that is making life difficult for many people who applied and got approved.

Keyser is one of those people. She just recently received a bill from her apartment complex informing her that her rent was going up to nearly $1,500 a year.

She said her social security is just $1,465… so she has gone back to work.

“I work part-time doing home healthcare for people. I don’t know how much longer. I’m 69 years old,” Keyser said.

She applied for Fort Myers rental assistance and was delighted when she was approved for the help but disappointed to learn that her landlord won’t accept it.

“I called other places, and they won’t take it either,” she said.

Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson admitted the program has been slow for landlords to embrace it.

“I don’t understand that because it’s guaranteed. Maybe they say I have somebody willing to pay it, and I don’t have to worry about the city,” Mayor Anderson said.

Either way, the mayor said the city plans to address the matter Monday night.

“Maybe we need to expand it; that we help with the security deposit where people can afford the rent, but they can’t come up with that big chunk of money to get in,” Anderson said.

If you think you qualify for some of this rental assistance, you can apply online here.