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Politics & Government

Tour Mendota Heights CDA Senior Housing Sept. 14

Dakota County residents and families will be able to tour affordable housing options from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Dakota County Community Development Agency will hold its annual senior showcase on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m., giving area residents a chance to take guided tours of six of the 24 buildings owned and managed as part of the CDA’s senior housing development program.

The program provides more than 1,300 affordable apartments for residents over the age of 55. Representatives of local agencies who serve seniors—including the CAP Agency, DARTS and others—will also be on hand to answer questions and inform area seniors and their families about additional senior services in Dakota County.

The CDA owns and operates Parkview Plaza and Village Commons, both located in Mendota Heights. Parkview Plaza will be available for tours at this year’s showcase.

“If people are interested in seeing what our units are like, it (the showcase) is the best opportunity for them to get in there,” said Kari Gill, deputy executive director for the Dakota County CDA. “A lot of time there are residents around who will answer questions for people as well.”

Long Waiting Lists

Gill said that because of full occupancy in all 24 buildings the CDA owns and operates in the program, it can be difficult to arrange tours at other times of the year. Residents who are unable to attend the showcase may take virtual tours of housing options on the CDA’s website.

Seniors who live, work or have immediate family in Dakota County are given preference in the senior housing program, which currently has over 1,200 applicants and an estimated wait-time of between six and 18 months, depending on the building.

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To be eligible for the program applicants must meet current income requirements. The senior housing program accepts applications from those making less than $44,950 for a one-person household and $51,400 for a two-person household.

Rent for one-bedroom apartments is based upon 30 percent of an eligible household’s annual income, with a minimum rent of $368 and a maximum rent of $677.

Rent for two-bedroom apartments is calculated as 32 percent of annual household income, with a minimum rent of $541 and a maximum of $857.

All units in the senior housing program feature sitting, library and community areas. Laundry facilities are located within each building, and underground heated parking is available for an additional fee.

Based on attendance in past years, Sara Swenson, assistant director of administration for the CDA, guessed that 150-200 people will tour senior housing buildings on Sept. 14.

CDA Senior Housing Program’s Origins

2011 marks the sixth year the CDA has done the showcase.

“It’s a good afternoon, and we’re all very tired at the end,” said Swenson. “It’s really great to interact with the public and have them see our product.”

Due to an aging baby boomer population, Dakota County began planning for an increase in the demand for affordable senior housing twenty years ago. Swenson said that trend is now becoming a reality; Dakota County’s senior housing development program, which Swenson said was one of the most robust in the nation, is currently adding two more buildings. Begun last spring, Vermillion River Crossings in Farmington will be open for occupancy in spring 2012.

Beginning Sept. 28 the CDA will break ground on a combined independent- and assisted-living senior housing facility in Burnsville. Done in partnership with Presbyterian Homes, it will be the first such unit the agency has developed. Following its completion the CDA currently has no further plans to develop more senior housing facilities.

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The Dakota County CDA is partnering with DARTS to provide bus service for the Sept. 14 senior showcase. Buses will leave the , located at 1228 Town Centre Drive in Eagan, at 1 p.m. and arrive back before 4 p.m. Because space is limited, residents should call 651-675-4432 to reserve a seat.

Properties and senior resources available during the 2011 senior housing showcase include:

  • Oakwoods of Eagan: 2065 Park Center Drive in Eagan. Valley Ridge Senior Housing will be onsite.
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