Project partners and community members on Thursday celebrated the completion of a new affordable housing development for older people with low incomes.
A 32-unit complex, Delmar Place Apartments is owned and operated by the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. It’s aimed at providing accessible housing for seniors, particularly those at risk of homelessness.
The one-bedroom units in Delmar Place are designed to maximize functionality and minimize barriers for seniors. Located just southwest of the intersection of Clinton Parkway and Iowa Street, the complex is named after Delmar Jackson, a maintenance worker who has taken care of LDCHA’s nearby Clinton Place apartments since 2006.
“He (Jackson) epitomizes the hardworking people that work at the Housing Authority,” said Shannon Oury, CEO of the housing authority. “Not only is he our longest-tenured, 20-plus-year employee, but he has the best attendance record of all of us. He comes every day, and he does what is necessary to make this feel like a home for the people who live here.”
Delmar Place includes three times the required number of units that are fully accessible under Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. The site will also provide support services such as transportation, food delivery, recreation and access to onsite technology to help residents age in place.
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Douglas County Commissioner Patrick Kelly said Thursday that unlike developments that are only required to provide affordable housing for a limited time, the complex will have deed restrictions that require permanent affordability. Tenants will pay a sliding-scale rent based on 30% of their income.
“Delmar Place shows what happens when we come together with a purpose,” Kelly said. “It’s more than a building. This is a response to the challenge before us.”
The $4.7 million project is funded through a combination of American Rescue Plan Act funds (federal COVID-19 relief dollars) awarded by the Douglas County Commission and LDCHA reserve funds. Oury said there is no debt on the property.
“What that means is that we can afford to take care of this property and rent this at affordable rates, and any excess reserve will be put to the next project that the housing authority intends to do,” Oury said.
Project partners broke ground to begin construction in October 2024, and the first tenants were anticipated to be able to move into the building in January 2026.
“To the future tenants, we welcome you home,” Oury said. “We want this to be a place of refuge and safety and joy.”
Information about how to apply for LDCHA housing is available at this link.
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Nathan Kramer (he/him), a multimedia student journalist for The Lawrence Times since August 2024, is a senior at Free State High School. He is also a news photo editor for Free State’s student publication, where he works as a videographer, photographer and motion designer. See more of his work for the Times here.
