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Reminder Assistant Editor SOUTH HADLEY For the past five decades, each United States president has proclaimed May as Older Americans Month, to honor the contributions made by this generation to their country, state and community. This year, President George Bush proclaimed that this year's Older Americans Month theme would be "Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities." Congruent with the month's theme, WestMass ElderCare Inc., celebrated in the final weekend of Older Americans Month with the grand opening of Hubert Place, a supportive, affordable housing facility for low-income seniors. "Hubert Place will be home to hundreds in near decades," Priscilla Chalmers, executive director of WestMass ElderCare Inc., said enthusiastically. She added that the facility will allow seniors to have non-interrupted, peaceful and independent living, while giving "solace" to families whose search for affordable housing and services is available for their loved ones. The facility marks the culmination of collaborative effort on behalf of multiple federal, state and local agencies. The facility will be home to 44 "low-income or frail elders," 62-years old or older, whose adjusted income is $25,900 or less in a one-person household or $29,600 or less for a two-person household. Each of the 44 apartments is furnished and the facility includes common areas. The South Hadley Housing Authority is responsible for qualifying all residents and employing a full-time, live-in resident manager. Hubert Place was built through the efforts of ElderCare Initiatives (ECI), WestMass ElderCare Inc., the South Hadley Housing Authority. Funding for the facility was obtained from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, the Massachusetts Department of Housing, and Community Development and Community Economic Development Assistance Corps. Fifteen speakers, including those in local, state and federal government were in attendance as well as those from the various contributing agencies, to pay tribute to the collaborative effort and to draw attention to the growing needs of the elderly community. "This is where in America we define community," Congressman Richard Neal, said. "Where we all pull the wagon together because someday we might have to sit in the wagon . we define community as a place where nobody is to be abandoned and nobody is to be left behind." Constance Clancy, president of the board of directors for ECI., noted that the ECI is the non-profit organization that owns Hubert Place but that WestMass ElderCare will be providing residents with services. "A year ago at the ground breaking I said, 'It doesn't get any better than this.' But I was wrong. It doesn't get any better than this," Clancy said. Bernice Bowler, president of the board of directors for WestMass ElderCare Inc., noted the importance of "opening up new opportunities for our seniors to age in peace. We now give this facility to the residents of our region who will be able to age in comfort and in peace." Selectman Gregory Sheehan noted the importance of having an asset such as Hubert Place in South Hadley to keep their aging population within the community they call home. For more information about Hubert Place or to obtain an application, call the South Hadley Housing Authority at 532-3194 or WestMass ElderCare at 538-9020. | ||||||
