Apartments for Low-Income Seniors to Open

With the help of more than $2 million in federal and city loans, a 50-unit apartment building for low-income senior citizens is scheduled to open in the next few days.

City officials say the Clara Street Commons, a project of the nonprofit National Church Residences of Ohio, will provide more housing options to the area’s senior citizens, many of whom are on fixed incomes.

“We’re probably not increasing the standard of living,” city Planning Director Richard Tillberg said, “but we’re reducing the cost of this housing so they can afford the other necessities of life.”

$2.4-Million U.S. Loan

The facility was financed by a $2.4-million loan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a $40,000 no-interest city loan and a $5,000 city grant. The site, in the 4800 block of Clara Street, was parkland donated by the city.

Forty-nine of the units will be provided to senior citizens for rents of no more than 30% of their income. A resident manager will occupy the remaining unit.

Tillberg said the city also plans to provide residents with a network of social services. In addition to Meals on Wheels, the city intends to provide games and classes for senior citizens, Tillberg said.

Mimi Kinard, divisional director of National Church Residences, said that to acquire the federal loan the company had to show that there is adequate community support for the apartment project. National Church Residences, which operates similar facilities in 20 states, will manage the apartment building through a local affiliate.

The organization also will create an advisory board of governors with Cudahy-area residents who “will assist in a whole range of operations for the building,” Kinard said. “If we have a question . . . as far as who in that area is a good person (to provide a service,), we go to the local board,” she said.