New Apartments For Low-Income Seniors

Retirement is supposed to be a worry free time in your life. But for many seniors, there isn't enough money to make ends meet.

A groundbreaking at the Good Samaritan Campus today will be the future home of Creekside apartments. The 5.2 million dollar building that will include 59 one bedroom units. And planners at Good Samaratian are excited because this building will specifically help seniors with low income. 

It took three years of planning and lots of help from the community, but the shovels finally broke ground. 

Good Samaritan Village Administrator Linda Studer Said, "I don't even know what to say, its like I've waited so long and now its finally going to happen and we can move forward. Instead of telling my staff and people living on campus Its coming, its coming...I can finally say its happening today."

The Good Samaritan Society is now accepting applications for the apartments. The Housing and Urban Development will provide part of the rent for seniors who meet income guidelines. 

"Those individuals looking at a safe and secure environment that is as much like home as possible and can have ala carte services provided to them if they need it," Said Studer.

The 2000 census says there are more than 9,000 households in Sioux Falls that were headed by Seniors. Of those, 2,300 elderly households had an annual income less than $15,000, while nearly 1,200 made less than $10,000. 

And the Good Samaritian Society says it is seeing a lot of interest in the 3 story building that will include several common living areas, a party kitchen and lounges. 

"Many people can't afford some of the other housing services so we've gotten a lot of calls from family members and other individuals waiting for this building to be built," Said Studer.

HUD uses a sliding scale based on annual income to determine each person's rent.
Construction of the Creekside apartments will be complete by August of 2008.