Carson City Senior Citizens Center approved for tax credits

The Carson City Senior Citizens Center has been approved for federal tax credits which will enable it to build affordable housing on property adjacent to the center on Beverly Drive.

"We're already working on it," said Janice McIntosh, director of the center. "This is like icing on our cake. This will make the world for senior citizens in Carson City much better."

On April 1, McIntosh appeared in front of the Carson City Board of Supervisors asking to build on the parcel east of the center. An application was sent to the State Housing Division showing the city gave approval to the center to put affordable housing next to the center.

"We heard Monday we were eligible for the tax credits," McIntosh said.

"It's perfect. The apartments are right next to where services are. The residents don't have to go all over town and there is good interaction. It's the best of both worlds."

The senior center is working with Community Development Inc., based in Boise, Idaho, and Citizens for Affordable Homes Inc.

"Because we're nonprofit and the corporation is nonprofit, the facility built must have certain amenities. The rent must be 60 percent of the median income and we get points for different amenities. We're all working together."

Low-income persons age 55-older are eligible to live in a one-bedroom apartment. To live in a two-bedroom apartment, both residents must be 62 or older.

The complex will have 47 apartments, with one being occupied by a manager. Nine will be two-bedroom, the remainder single bedrooms. They will have patios, a picnic area and one covered parking space for each apartment. It will be built on 1.9 acres east of the center. The parcel is separate from property involved in a debate between Carson-Tahoe Hospital and the center over which entity has first rights to build. That piece is south of the center.

McIntosh said center officials have received 15-20 inquiries about rental availability, but no list is yet available. They will let the community know when they can call Community Development Inc. for a housing application.

"In 30 days a letter goes back acknowledging we can meet all requirements and our intent is to proceed," McIntosh said.

Fred Free, chief development officer for Community Development Inc. said the state of Nevada requires the project be under construction within nine months of funding.

"We'll start by the end of the year, basically," he said. "For this size project it would be about a seven-month construction window. We should be done by summer of 2005."

Community Development Inc., which formed in 1994, has been doing low-income housing projects since 1997 and is currently building a family project in Fernley.

"We feel so fortunate we're going to be able to do this," McIntosh said. "It's exciting not only for Carson City but for those who are looking forward to moving in."

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