Trotwood City Council approved a Community Reinvestment Area program tax abatement application for the project during its meeting on Monday, granting a 75% real property tax abatement for a period of 15 years. The total cost of the project is around $10.7 million, according to Chad Downing, Trotwood Community Improvement Corporation (TCIC) executive director.
“Construction costs and labor costs are so high, we want to be able to deliver a high-quality project at an affordable rate, especially for our seniors who want to move out of the homes they’re in and maybe find more of a sense of community,” Downing said.
Brian McGeady, president of MVAH Holding LLC and managing partner of MVAH Partners LLC, said in a project description, as part of the tax abatement application, that the development’s aim is to cater to a vulnerable population.
“There are a significant number of seniors in the surrounding area who lack quality, affordable housing,” McGeady said. “The nearest affordable development is over three miles away and has a significant waitlist. This project will rent to those with AMIs as low as 30%, allowing the lowest income, and most vulnerable to homelessness, to have access to quality, affordable housing.”
The project will contain one- and two-bedroom units and will feature on-site management, a community room with a kitchenette, computer area, fitness room, picnic shelter, and community gardens. Free supportive services, such as 24/7 on-call care, a community geriatric nurse, case management, financial support services, and a senior nutrition program will be provided by residents through New Lima Housing for the Future and the Senior Resource Connection.
Many of the units will rent at a cost significantly below the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program max, McGeady said in the application, with the average monthly rent being less than $670 per month.
“These rents are unsustainable long-term without a tax abatement,” McGeady said, noting that the tax abatement will allow for significantly lowered operating expenses.
This is one of several recent new developments coming to Trotwood, including a new Goodwill Easterseals facility, YMCA, library, and courthouse.
“This development would not only meet the city of Trotwood’s goals of creating a new downtown area, but it will also bring much-needed senior housing to one of Montgomery County’s most populated and least affordably-housed communities,” McGeady said.
The project will create between 100 and 150 temporary construction jobs throughout the entire construction period of at least 12 months. Additionally, two permanent, part-time jobs will be created once the project is completed, including an on-site manager and a maintenance supervisor.
Construction is set to begin in January.
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