Director of the Westerly: ‘We’re Doing Everything We Can to Help’

After 34 seniors at the Westerly were told they’d need to find new housing, the director of the senior-living facility says he’s doing everything he can to help.

For starters, Curt Brosky said he and staff have already been able to get five seniors — based on seniority — housing in one of the facility’s two other buildings.

The 179-unit Westerly III will be renovated using federal Housing & Urban Development money beginning in October 2013.

But one of the requirements of the funding is that all residents are low-income — categorized by HUD as making less than $26,640 annually, or less than $30,480 for couples.

Brosky said that another five seniors’ circumstances “have changed” and now qualify to stay.

And about five others have decided to move into assisted living facilities, where they need a “higher level of care."

That leaves about 20 seniors looking to find new living arrangements.

Brosky said he won’t likely know for “another week or two” how many of the remaining residents are going to be able to stay.

“We’re doing everything we can to help them,” he said. “The bottom line is that we still have some folks that aren’t in good situations that are going to have to be relocated somewhere and we’re doing everything we can to help them.”

Those who do not qualify as “low income” will be required to leave their apartments by Sept. 30. Westerly is offering $1,200 to help cover moving costs to each resident.

However, those who move to Westerly I and II may have to leave when those buildings undergo similar federally funded renovations in coming years.

Can’t they be grandfathered in?

The short answer is "no," Brosky said.

“This is statutory, meaning that Congress has to approve any changes,” said Brosky. “Congress isn’t going to change this in two months.”

“But we’re going to try to fight this.”         

The rules for the low-income housing tax credits were passed in 1986, he said, adding that he’s already reached out to HUD, as well as US Rep. Marcy Kaptur.

“The low-income housing tax credit is the only game in town,” said Brosky. “HUD doesn’t make loans available to renovate existing buildings.”

The $14 million renovation includes infrastructure repairs to the roof, fixes to crumbling bricks, windows, heating and elevators; new bathroom and kitchen fixtures in each unit; and the conversion of nine apartments to ADA-approved use.

“We’re looking out for the 150 people remaining, and the hundreds who will live here in the future,” Brosky said.

“Doing nothing is not an option.”