PALMETTO, Fla. — A new apartment complex opened Monday for affordable housing for seniors in Palmetto.

Joy Kelley is unloading all of her belongings out of her car like the blanket her grandmother made her.

"That is probably about 68 90-years-old stains and all it stays with me,” she said.

She's moving into her one-bedroom apartment at the Reef at Riviera.

The new apartment complex only serves seniors 62 years and older. To qualify, residents must make less than 60% of the area's median income.

Kelley said she makes $30,000 a year, and it was a 6-month wait to get approved for the apartment.

“The process is very cumbersome,” she said. 

The average rent ranges from $900-$1,200 for 1-2 or three-bedroom units.

But it's all worth it because she gets to live near family like her sister's family. Her brother-in-law, Dave Gittins helped her move in.

She can enjoy herself and live the life she always wants to do. She’s had it hard enough with stuff she’s got going on. If she’s happy, we are happy in the family,” he said.

Family is the reason she moved to Florida.

“I got one sister on this coast and I got my sister and brother-in-law on the other coast,” she said.

Jordan Jones, government relations associate for affordable housing company Dominium, said it's the company's first construction development project.

“You are able to have a family that can save money instead of having to pay over 30% of their income going towards rent, which is what a lot of people have to do.” Jones said.

The new complex has over 200 units and right next to the Manatee river, it's a new place for seniors to come to find affordable housing.