Senior housing complex nearly done

Low- to moderate-income one-bedroom apartments should be available by late May Franklin — Applications are being reviewed for senior citizens who want to move into the newly built Franklin House, a 94-unit affordable senior housing building that is expected to be ready for occupancy by late May. The building is located on Mill Street off Main Street and offers independent living in a “serene natural setting...within easy proximity to municipal and retail services,” its developers say. The building itself is roughly 72,000 square feet; each unit is about 600 feet. All but one of the 94 units are one-bedroom apartments for renters of low-to-moderate income status, with the other unit occupied by building’s superintendent. Rents will range from $458 to $777 a month, depending on the individual/family income. Based on current criteria, an individual income cannot exceed $30,500 and a family cannot exceed $34,850. One household member has to be 55 years or older. Gas heat and hot water will be provided as part of the rent. On-site parking is available for all residents. The building has laundry facilities and a community room available to the residents of the building. As the project nears completion, applicants who qualify based on income guidelines “will be called in for an interview,” explained Randy Steinberg, of Bergen Engineering, the development company. On-site interviews will be conducted shortly. “If the interview goes OK, then the managing agent will send out for third-party verifications to verify the information that was put on the application.” Leases will be for one year. Regulations prohibit the firm from qualifying potential residents sooner than 90 days before they anticipate construction to be complete. In addition to seeking local senior citizens, the company has posted brochures at senior centers in neighboring counties in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The project is a partnership between BEBP Development Company of East Rutherford and Episcopal Community Development of Newark. For applications for residency and further information, 973-623-1349, ext. 18.