Housing Works announced the funding of Cook Crossing, an affordable apartment community serving seniors that will be located in Redmond on Veterans Way. The project includes the new construction of Cook Crossing, a 4-story, 48-unit apartment community with commercial space on the ground floor.
The building site is located on a 1.3 acre parcel immediately to the west of the Lowes home improvement store. Brentwood Manor, an eight-unit existing housing community located a block away from the new development, will undergo substantial rehabilitation.
With vacancy rates below 1 percent and rents rising, the need for affordable housing by seniors is greater than ever. “We have seniors in our community calling every day asking for help in finding a place to live,” said Tom Kemper, Housing Works’ executive director. “Housing Works recognizes the need for affordable housing for older adults with fixed incomes, and Cook Crossing will bring relief to 48 senior households in Redmond.
Cook Crossing will provide a community where seniors with lower incomes can thrive in a location that is close to many amenities in Redmond. The design for Cook Crossing will offer one- and two-bedroom unit configurations. Each unit will have a deck with views to the east or west. Cook Crossing will offer residents a variety of services and activities through a number of partner agencies.
Brentwood Manor, a project-based Section 8 senior housing community, will undergo preservation work to modernize the 38-year-old units. Residents will benefit from many of the services and activities offered at Cook Crossing located a block away. As affordable properties, income restrictions will apply and rents will be well below market rates.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has allocated over $9 million in state funding for the project. Additionally, on May 5 the City Council of Redmond approved $105,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds. Construction of Cook Crossing is expected to begin by the end of the year, bringing over $10 million dollars into our community and numerous job opportunities. Build time is expected to be 12 months. Preleasing for Cook Crossing will begin in about a year.
The name Cook Crossing honors Cyndy Cook, who served as executive director for Housing Works for 30 years until her retirement in 2013. “Her success was reflected in her commitment and passion for fostering dignity through housing. Housing Works experienced extraordinary growth during her tenure,” shared Kemper, who took her place in 2013. “Beginning with a mere 48 units of affordable rental housing, Housing Works grew to become the largest affordable housing provider in Central Oregon.”
Housing Works is the largest affordable housing provider in Central Oregon. It provides people with quality, safe and affordable homes; and through a number of collaborations, it provides the resources to help people stabilize their lives. Housing Works obtains public funding from federal, state and local governments and leverages these funds with private capital from local financial institutions and foundations to provide quality housing that meets communities’ needs.
Housing Works developments in Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Sisters have won awards for innovation, economic impact, design, beautification, and historic preservation and enhancement. For more information, visit www.housing-works.org.
