What was once a trailer park that received a number of complaints in the past, is now a recently constructed facility with 12 units for senior citizens.
The homes, which are part of Windsor Court on Peach Street, were built in August of 2013, and now has a long waiting list of prospective residents aged 62 and older.
Property Manager Ann Marie May said not only has she had senior citizens query about living in one of the units, but younger people as well.
May said she’s noticed a problem with housing in the area.
“We have a desperate need for housing for seniors on a fixed income,” May said.
Currently there are only a handful of facilities, such as Elmwood Manor near the Woods Subdivision, the Pines on Martin Luther King Boulevard and her facility.
Some people in the area have come to her saying they have to live with relatives or in campers with no running water due to the shortage of affordable housing for seniors.
Rent at Windsor Court, which is part of Volunteers of America, is based on an individual’s income. Windsor Court offers access to washers and dryers and activities area near the office.
This week residents held a Fourth of July celebration, where they cooked food to share and held a ceremony honoring this country’s most patriotic holiday. The ceremony involved a song combined with flag choreography performed by the residents.
Unlike some housing that caters to senior citizens, Windsor Court is an independent living facility, where residents care for themselves and come and go as they please. But there are safety features in case a resident needs help, such as an emergency alert and fire alarms. May said the residents range in age from 62 to 84, but all act like a family and regularly participate in events held in the activities room to celebrate holidays.
Construction of the facility was grant funded so only a limited number of units could be built. But May said there is the possibility more could be built in another location in the city, but no concrete plans have been established.