C.C. Young, Umphress Road UMC launch partnership Housing for low-income seniors
Representatives of Umphress Road UMC, C.C. Young Retirement Center and the community help break ground for the new low-income senior apartment project.
Architect's rendering of the Umphress Terrace Apartments for low income seniors
BY DR. JOAN GRAY LABARR
Editor
April 15, the Sunday after Easter, was a lively time at Umphress Road UMC, Dallas, as members joined with representative of C. C. Young Retirement Center and community leaders to officially break ground for Umphress Terrace, an apartment project for low-income seniors.
The church sold three acres of land adjacent to its facilities for the apartment project. By selling at a greatly reduced price, Umphress Road helped make the project affordable.
Umphress Terrace is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 202 Program sponsored by C.C. Young. The C.C. Young Board has also committed funds to the project and President Ken Durand has been proactive in supporting Umphress Terrace and ensuring that the project starts on schedule.
C.C. Young Affordable Housing Coordinator Richard Stanford, who also sits on the Umphress Terrace Board, explains that C.C. Young will provide program and support for residents of the facility.
"A 202 is different from many tax credit projects you see around town, which are also called affordable housing," Stanford explains, noting that the 202 projects benefit the most low-income elderly.
HUD's initial capital grant was $4,216,500, and total costs are $5,021,000 million. An initial predevelopment grant from HUD totaled $292,000, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas provided a $265,000 grant sponsored by Inwood National Bank. The C.C. Young Board voted an initial $50,000 grant and is guaranteeing $175,000 more in funding.
Umphress Road UMC is located at 7224 Umphress in southeast Dallas. Rev. Levy E. Laguardia is pastor of the vibrant, multi-cultural, multigenerational congregation.
Area Provost Rev. Jim Dorff preached for the morning worship service preceding the groundbreaking.
"What do we say, and more importantly, what is God saying to us on this week after Easter?" Rev. Dorff asked. He praised the Umphress Terrace project as a partnership between church and UM institutions, which will provide affordable housing for older persons of limited means.
Citing the John 21 story of Jesus instructing Peter to "feed my sheep," Rev. Dorff declared, "Jesus the Christ says to you and me, just what he said to Simon Peter, if you love me, feed my sheep."
He challenged the congregation to reach out to people, "who will inhabit the facility that God will build over there. This is a project of God and our glory is in walking the walk," he said, noting that God is saying, "Follow me. We are going to take a step. It is not the end, but a step, and we are going together."
Herman Thun of Austin, architect for the facility, has a long and distinguished record of working with affordable housing efforts. An active Presbyterian layperson, Fund complimented what he termed the "amazing diversity" of Umphress Road. Thun began working to facilitate the project four years ago.
"We were immediately impressed with the cleanliness of the neighborhood. It is obvious that those who live in the community do care," Thun remarked. He described the project as "homey" and adaptable to the seniors’ needs. Accessibility will be another important quality.
When complete, Umphress Terrace will include 53 senior one-bedroom apartments of 540 square feet each, and one two-bedroom apartment for the on-site manager. Each apartment will have a full kitchen and porch. The apartments will be grouped in four-plexes.There will also be a spacious office/community room area.
Umphress Terrace residents must be 62 or older and have income below 50 percent of the area median. Rents will be in the $350-$400 per month range, with HUD assistance equaling the difference between the established rent and 30 percent of the senior’s income after allowance.
Stanford says that work on the project is expected to be underway by May, with completion scheduled in 2008. Persons who wish to apply for an apartment will do so through C.C. Young.
rstanford@ccyoung.org or call 214-827-8080.
