The CHEER Inc. came up with a plan to build hundreds of low-income, apartments for senior citizens on Sandhill Rd. in Georgetown that was approved by the Georgetown Town Council this Monday.
Sussex County, Delaware is considered to be an attractive retirement destination. “Sussex County Lifestyle” comprise of temperate climates, a rural area between major metropolitan areas, popular tourist attractions, favorable tax policies, lower housing prices and friendly neighbors all combine to attract the retirees migrate here.
Old and mature residents are an essential element of Sussex County. Population aged 55 year or more represent one in every three residents in Sussex County. As compared to other places in Delaware retirees are found maximum in Sussex County than the national average.
Who are CHEER Inc and what is their mission?
In 1971, CHEER, Inc. was founded with need to promote and maintain the highest quality of life and independence for the senior citizens aged 50 and above by developing and providing services that meet the continuing their needs. CHEER operates seven activity centers throughout Sussex County to provide activities and nutrition as well as events for mature adults.
What are the various facilities provided by CHEER Inc.?
- Transportation for people who do not or cannot drive is available.
- Comfortable handicapped accessible CHEER busses will pick you up at your door and take you to the center in the morning. When the day’s activities are over, you will ride back to your home with a smile.
- Transportation to local stores is also available.
- Meal is provided at two different centers: 1) Bridgeville Senior Center in Bridgeville, Delaware, 2) Laurel Senior Center in Laurel, Delaware.
- Each center has staff including a center director, kitchen manager, and outreach worker.
According to the CHEER Inc. plan, on Sandhill Road a four, 60-unit building named CHEER Gateway East senior living apartments will be built along with the current apartments and CHEER community center. This will comprise of exercise and athletic ground along with a two-mile walking park and a community garden.
Impressed with such idea, Georgetown Mayor Bill West said,” the project will fill a big gap in affordable housing for seniors in Sussex County. The mayor added, “We need to take care of our seniors. We need to keep them in Sussex County, so they don’t go somewhere else for living, and this is going to be a tremendous asset to the community.”
CHEER Inc. CEO Ken Bock says, “The senior population is exploding here in Sussex County and affordable housing is a real issue for everybody, but most specifically seniors on a fixed income. We have the funding for all the engineering and design work, we own the land already, but we are continuing to fund with private foundations, and donors, as well a public sector partners.”
As per Mr. Block, each apartment building may cost up to $100 million in which the operating costs and furniture with regards to the administrative building, will cost about $5.1 million.
With all the efforts put in by him and his team, in the month of January they have received a grant from the Congressional delegation and a lumpsum fund from the general assembly. Mr. Block’s team is working with the Delaware State Housing Authority & Sussex County council for the financial help.
CHEER has also planned for building an administration building and a transportation maintenance facility at the site so as to centralize their services at the same location.
