CRESTVIEW — The community’s newest apartment complex, devoted specifically to low-income senior citizens, has been open for several months, but this week local officials and business leaders paid a visit.
Katie Manor held its official Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Aug. 30, after which attendees toured the complex and met residents like Joe Stokes.
The Laurel Hill native praised the independence he has enjoyed since moving in July 11, contrasting it to his residency in an assisted living facility where “they treated us like 5-year-olds.”
“It’s real nice,” Stokes said. “I like it. The main thing I like about this place is you have more freedom.”
The U.S. Army veteran receives regular visits from a Veterans Affairs nurse, which, combined with Katie Manor’s amenities, has improved his outlook on life, family members said.
“This right here is something I always wanted for our family,” Stokes’ sister, Laurel Hill resident Martha Gibson, said.
MEETING A NEED
“It’s truly an honor to have this facility in our community,” chamber of commerce Chairman of the Board Dawn Mann said. “It’s a beautiful complex and I know residents are going to be happy here.”
Florida Housing Finance Corporation Executive Director Steve Auger praised Crestview officials for partnering with Vestcor developers to bring the complex to town.
“There’s a strong need for affordable housing throughout the state,” Auger said. “There’s a lot of local governments where folks have preconceived notions of what affordable housing is.
“They think of some of the older public housing stuff from early federal programs. They get scared of it and they don’t have the will to be open to something like this and see it through.”
50 PERCENT RENTED
After WRH Realty property manager Donna Menchaca snipped the red ribbon, officials toured a model two-bedroom apartment, checking out public rooms and the pool, and eying what turned out to be among the complex’s most popular amenities.
“One of the most prized possessions here is getting one of the garden plots,” WRH regional Director Ken Furtaw said of the 20 or so raised planting beds.
Half of Katie Manor’s 102 units are now occupied, Vestcor’s Ryan Hoover said. Ninety percent of the apartments are for residents with individual or combined annual incomes of about $33,000 or less, while 10 percent are reserved for individuals making less than $16,000 a year, he said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Officials, business leaders tour Katie Manor (PHOTOS)