September 09, 2008 07:41 PM Eastern Time 

UHC Opens 80 Affordable Apartment Homes in Indio for Senior Citizens

INDIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Senior citizens age 55 years and older will find an elegant and affordable place to call home at Horizons at Indio, an 80-unit property developed by Urban Housing Communities LLC (UHC) and its non-profit partner, Heritage Community Housing Inc. (HCH).

The development, in Indio, California, welcomed its first residents on June 28^th and is now 85 percent leased. The community features 47 one-bedroom apartments at 679 square feet and 33 two-bedroom apartments at 922 square feet. All apartments are reserved for seniors earning from 40 to 60 percent of the area median income for Riverside County, as published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Half of the units are set aside for retirees of the agricultural industry. Rents range from $463 to $852.

Award-winning architectural firm KTGY Group, Inc. designed the 7.78 acre site to be liveable for seniors. All 80 units are one-story and include senior design features such as lower positioned light switches and wider doorways. The apartments are well-appointed with granite countertops, walnut cabinets, premium carpet and appliances. Community amenities include a 2,100 square foot community center with a computer lab, laundry facilities, a leasing office, a swimming pool, spa and trellis-covered BBQs.

UHC incorporated green-building features into the design including solar panels and radiant barrier on the community room roof, hydronic heating, low-E glass windows, Energy Star appliances, no-VOC paint, and low-VOC carpeting and adhesives.

“Current rebates and tax credits provided for the utilization of green technology. The effective costs were minimal, and ongoing and future operating expenses should be reduced,” says Mark Irving, UHC Director of Land Planning and Entitlement, in reference to the solar-powered community room.

A grand opening event for the community is scheduled for October 23^rd at 10:00 a.m. To qualify for an apartment at Horizons, applicants must be senior citizens over the age of 55. Interested applicants should contact Solari Enterprises, Inc. at (714) 363-4090.

Total cost of development was $18.7 million. Urban Housing Communities LLC is a "mission driven for-profit" affordable housing development partner of Morgan Stanley specializing in multi-family and senior housing facilities in California and Hawaii.