A 53-unit apartment complex being built near Home Depot in Washington Court House is coming along.
James Hunley, C.E.O. of Sunset Development said that his development firm is constructing the subsidized housing.
“Court House Family Housing” will be the name of the complex and will feature one, two, and three bedroom apartments built on 6 acres of land at the end of Depot Drive, between Home Depot and Holiday Inn Express.
Ground has already broken and the walls of three buildings have gone up.
The apartments are being funded by a grant awarded to Sunset, the company overseeing the construction in partnership with Fayette County Community Action, who will manage the property.
Hunley said a lot of hard work has gone into the plan and that the complex should not be confused with “section 8” housing.
“[Tenants] have to have some sort of income, so someone who has social security or some other type of ‘low income’ could live here, but most of the folks have to have some income and it is based on family size,” he said.
To give readers an idea of what the likely rent for the units would be, Hunley said that the very lowest income possible for one person is $12,900 a year.
“That rent would be $345 dollars a month,” he said.
For five people living under one roof their income could be as much as $53,000 a year. Hunley said the suggested rent based on math for that family size “could be $1,278” a month.
“So, we back off that high rent and think what is reasonable…our highest rent is projected to be $720 based on a market study.”
Hunley said that while the complex is designed to help those who have an income and perhaps employment, the complex will have six units set aside to help those with disabilities.
“There is one caveat: six of the one bedroom units will be set aside with folks with disabilities….they would be able to live in a one a bedroom unit; they would pay 30% of their income and the balance is made up by a subsidy.”
Washington Court House councilmember Caleb Johnson noted that the complex’s proximity to nearby affordable grocer Aldi, Wal-Mart, and McDonald’s is an opportunity for business growth.
“Increased housing is vital for any community that wishes to grow,” said Councillor Johnson. “There’s been a lot of improvements to the downtown area recently, but it is also important to let other businesses know we care about them. Any development in another area is just as welcomed and important.”
Johnson also noted that he cares about all businesses in the city, regardless of location.
The Bergman Group of Cincinnati continues to develop the surrounding area and according to their C.F.O., Dan Feigelson, more than 100 acres of land is currently in plans to be developed.