Cape, Jackson plan new affordable housing projects

Twenty new two- and three-bedroom duplexes could be ready for low-to-moderate-income families in Cape Girardeau by the summer of 2004, thanks to $340,000 in tax credits handed down by the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Meanwhile, a Jackson developer has received $200,000 in tax credits from the MHDC to build 30 senior apartments on the new stretch of Main Street in Jackson.

PDC Development of Little Rock, Ark., the same group that built the Fort Hope apartments, will be building the Cape Girardeau duplexes.

The units will be built on an undeveloped piece of land behind the Cape Gardens Apartments, near the intersection of West End Boulevard and Highway 74 and close to Jefferson Elementary School.

Rick Pierce, the vice president of acquisitions with PDC Development, said the units will range from 1,000 to 1,200 square feet apiece. For a family of four that makes roughly less than $31,000 a year, the rent will be about $360 per month for the two-bedroom duplexes and roughly $415 for three bedrooms.

Pierce said these types of units generally go for about $700 per month.

Shirley Ramsey, the community housing coordinator with the Community Caring Council, said there is a need in Cape Girardeau for such housing.

Duplexes will be welcomed"I've been visiting with many agencies that provide assistance for people," said Ramsey, who officially started her position Wednesday. "One of the biggest needs is decent, affordable housing. There may be some good one-bedroom units out there, but nothing for families. These duplexes will be welcomed."

In Jackson, Chad Hartle, owner of Chad Hartle Rentals, said 30 two-bedroom units will be completed by next spring. They will be built across Main Street from some of Hartle's other senior apartments that were built in 1998.

"We have a waiting list on the other senior properties," Hartle said. "There's a good, healthy need."

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said the development will allow some seniors to stay in Jackson where they may not have been able to do so in the past.

"And one of the keys to the success in senior housing is the developer," Sander said. "In other communities, you might find that these developments become an eyesore in 10 or 15 years. But Chad and Geneva live in Jackson. They run it and take pride in the development. I've always been in support of his developments because I know he and his wife will take care of them and keep them looking nice."

The MHDC approved funding for 49 affordable rental housing developments across the state as part of its Rental Production and Preservation Program.

The new senior apartments in Jackson, which will rent for $335 a month, will be located adjacent to a new senior center.

Sander said part of the reason the city was awarded a $200,000 grant for the senior center is because of Hartle's previous and proposed developments.

Hartle said one of the reasons he was awarded the tax credits is because of the city's commitment to the senior center.

"We must have communicated dozens of times to see how this could work," Sander said. He added that the Southeast Missouri Planning Commission helped write the grant application.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

PLANNED AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT A GLANCE

IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

n Location: behind Cape Garden Apartments, near the West End Boulevard and Highway 74 intersection.

Number of units: 20 new duplexes, 41 units total

Estimated rent: $360/month for two bedrooms; $400-$415 for three bedrooms.

Estimated completion date: Summer 2004

Financial assistance: $340,000 in tax credits

IN JACKSON

n Location: East Main Street, across the street from senior apartments and near the site of a future senior center.

Number of units: 30 two-bedroom apartments.

Estimated rent: $335/month

Estimated completion date: Spring 2004

Financial assistance: $200,000 in tax credits.