City breaks ground on affordable housing for seniors

City officials officially broke ground Wednesday on Autumn Village, a low-income, senior housing project on property just east of the Carson City Senior Citizens Center on Beverly Drive.

More than 100 inquiries about the apartments have been made to Community Development Inc., which is partnering with the senior center to build the project. CDI has built similar projects in Arizona, Utah, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Washington and Nevada.

"This is really needed in Carson City," said Janice McIntosh, director of the senior center. "There is an 18- to 24-month waiting list for senior housing. The only other senior housing in Carson City is Southgate Apartments on California Street."

The complex will have 47 apartments, with one of those designated for an on-site manager. Of the 46 available, 10 will have two bedrooms, 36 are one-bedroom and five or six of those units will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be stairs and an elevator available.

"This is an extremely unique project," said Greg Urrutia, chief financial officer for the development company. "It provides housing to the lowest reaches of the tax bracket."

Urrutia said 80 percent of the funding for the complex is paid by housing-tax credits and subsidiaries. Other funding is coming from Irwin Union Bank and Citibank.

"The city has been very supportive of this project," Urrutia added. "We've had no hurdles. Everything has gone smoothly."

The land initially was made available through an act of Congress. Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., along with Congressman Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., worked with Bureau of Land Management officials for the property to be signed over to Carson City, with the stipulation the land be used specifically for senior services.

"We can do this because of the cooperation of Carson City," said Bruce Scott, president of the senior center's governing board. "This is an investment for the city."

Carson City will receive property taxes from the rentals. The property will be maintained by Somerset Pacific, who is also partnering with CDI and the senior center.

The rent formula is 30 percent to 50 percent of the area's median income, and based on the applicant's income. There will also be a utility allowance, based on income.

"This is just wonderful for the seniors," McIntosh said. "They will be close to the senior center, the grocery store - that's why they want to be here, because of all the services available."

Urrutia said the project should be completed by the end of the year.

- Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

Build it, and they will come

What: "Autumn Village" - low-income senior housing

When: Completion projected by Dec. 31

Where: Property east of Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Dr.

Eligibility/application inquiries: Somerset Pacific at (866) 925-7368

Age limiit: Applicant must be 60 years of age; second person 55

FAST FACTS

Cost: About $5.6 million

Apartments: 47

Type: 10 two-bedroom; 36 one-bedroom (five-six designated ADA compliant); one on-site manager apartment

Features: Laundry, patio or balcony; exterior storage; air conditioning; community rooms; elevator and stairs; one covered parking space per unit; equipped picnic area

Rents due

Rent will vary depending on income. It could be as low as $300 or as much as $600. There is also a utility allowance, depending on income.

The city will receive property taxes from the project