Housing Program Manager John Dutrey, City Administrator Michael Story, Director of Development Services Robb Steel, Council Member Edward Palmer, Project Interior Designer Alycia Enciso and TELACU President and CEO Michael Lizárraga watch Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Scott drive the ceremonial golden nail into one of the wooden posts of Rio Alto.
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Apartment offers better life for seniors
By Naomi Ford
On Tuesday, April 24 the City of Rialto celebrated the construction of a new TELACU senior housing complex in the City with a hard hat ceremony.
The new facility will be for seniors on a fixed income but will have all the amenities that a senior could want.
“This City has been one of the premier leaders of senior low-income housing,” said Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott. He said the effort began in the 1970s with Ramrod Mobile Home Park. The current facility being built, TELACU Rio Alto, will be the third TELACU senior housing apartment complex in the City.
The hard hat ceremony was held on the construction site of the complex which will open in December.
The $15.3 million project will have 75 units for seniors. Amenities include wall-to-wall carpeting, appliances, a library, craft room, fountains, a putting green, fire pit and vegetable garden. There will also be special services that cater directly to the needs of senior citizens.
“TELACU Rio Alto provides further tangible proof of our partnership’s commitment to elevating the quality of life for the low-income senior citizens we serve,” said TELACU President and CEO Michael Lizárraga.
Thus far HUD has invested $30 million into projects in Rialto. The City has invested $7.5 million to make them come into fruition. This is the latest of three TELACU apartments in the City. TELACU first approached the City in 2003 and the latest was opened last fall.
This is crucial for a person or couple on a fixed income.
TELACU works with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the 202 Project Rental Assistance Contract to make affordable living possible. Through that program the rent for tenants will be based on their annual income and cannot be more than 30 percent of their monthly adjusted income.
“To have a place like this and live with dignity is the most important thing,” said Scott who told the story of searching for low-income senior housing for his late parents in Arizona and being disappointed with the options.
Sara Garcia, Mobile Home Rent Review Commissioner and advocate for seniors, said that having apartments like this one shows that the City cares about seniors and their quality of life.
“I see this as something positives for seniors,” she said. Besides the standard of living the apartment provides, it is also a good opportunity for seniors to have a community with others in the same stage of life.
TELACU Rio Alto is located at 545 Bloomington Avenue in Rialto.
Source: The Rialto Record Weekly
Date: April 26, 2012
