Senior Housing

The Gill apartments at Cranford’s Senior Housing complex had nearly exhausted their waiting list and advertised an open enrollment for the first Monday in October.  The advertisement stated that applications would be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis.  Some seniors showed up on Sunday evening and waited through a blustery night to insure that they would be called sooner rather than later.  Barbara Bilger, our Mayor and the secretary for the Housing Board, arrived shortly after 6AM on Monday, and saw 50 or 60 people, many wrapped in blankets, waiting in line.  In all 426 applications were accepted. 

Why?  Why are old folks queuing to get on a waiting list for an apartment?  Is affordable housing that hard to come by?  Is it Cranford?  Is it the complex itself?   I met with the Senior Housing Director, Adele Gilman, and the past and current president of the board, Roman Chapelsky and  Murray Rose, to learn more about Cranford’s Senior Housing.

There are two different buildings and each is governed by its own set of rules.  The Gill Apartments are named for Ed Gill, former Cranford mayor and visionary who got the senior housing project started.  They were built 25 years ago and have 131 units – 113 one bedroom, 10 two bedroom and 8 studio apartnents.  Each apartment has a living room, kitchen, dining area and full bath.  The two bedroom units are reserved for those with a compelling medical need.  Couples or individuals who apply for these apartments can earn up to $40,250 annually.  Most of their money comes from pensions and social security with a small amount derived from interest on savings and investments.

There are 101 one-bedroom apartments in the Lincoln apartments.  Chevron oil is a limited partner in this venture.  That is, they made a capital contribution when the project took form ten years ago.  Chevron received tax credits from the federal government; the government, in turn, put strictures in place that make the apartments more affordable for seniors.  The State also contributed $750,000 toward the building of this complex.  The funding agreement that was written when these monies were procured requires that 50% of the Lincoln Apartments be rented to seniors earning less than $28,100 annually.  The rent is $530 per month.  The balance of the apartments rent for $620 a month to people who earn up to $33,720 annually.

The housing board had an open enrollment for Gill in 1998 and took 403 applications.  In early October only three applications remained on file.  In September 2002 the authority accepted 203 applications for Lincoln and there’s been very little turnover.  Only 20 to 25 of the 232 apartments turn over each year.  This year 426 applications were accepted.  The list moves slowly at first, but after a couple years the pace picks up because people have either made other arrangements or are no longer able to accept residency. 

Applicants must be 62 years old and capable of independent living.  Before an apartment is offered the housing board does a criminal background check and also pulls a credit history.  In later years if a resident is in declining health and needs personal care, Center of Hope Hospice provides these services.  In fact, New Jersey kicks in some money to subsidize these services.  There’s a tremendous savings to the state when institutional care can be delayed or prevented.

I was under the impression that long time Cranford residents were accorded preference for the apartments.  When Gill first accepted residents that was the case.  Laws have changed and residency preferences are no longer permitted.  When Gilman advertised the open enrollment she sent flyers around to the local senior clubs and advertised in the Courier News and a Spanish language newspaper. 

I met a very spry Ruth Hunter, one of three original tenants living at Gill.  She has a lovely apartment that she shares with her cat Cokie.  If she wants to have hot evening meals but doesn’t want to cook, there’s a program

that permits her to order meals.  She has to order for a full month and dinners are prepared and delivered by the Rustic Mill Diner.  Housekeeping services are also available to her.  The meals and housekeeping are subsidized by the state.

When I walked through the complex with Gilman, Chapelsky and Rose we stopped often to talk to staff and residents.  The first thing that struck me is the diversity.  S.C. Kao, was born in Taiwan and takes care of plantings in the buildings and throughout the grounds.  Gilman took a moment to greet Fanya Shulman, an active tenant who is part of a growing Russian contingent.   Social interaction among residents is encouraged and Gilman reminded Fanya about an event planned for later that day.

Gilman was pleased that a fair number of the applications were from residents of other senior housing facilities in neighboring communities. They compared Cranford’s Senior Housing to their own facility and given the choice they would choose Cranford.

I think that people stood in line overnight because there simply aren’t enough affordable apartments available in towns like Cranford.  I also believe Cranford’s Senior Housing is an extraordinary community because the Housing Board, Gilman and her staff have worked hard to meet the needs of the residents.