RANGELY I In a small town at the mercy of an oil boom and bust cycle, housing can be an issue for anyone. However, it’s often the seniors within the community that feel the crunch of high-priced or unavailable housing the hardest. In Rangely, the White River Village is edging up on its 40th year of providing this highly needed service to local seniors. Built in 1980, the senior housing complex currently offers 24 units to the aging population at individualized pricing.
“At White River Village, the quality of life for our tenants is very important to us. We aim to provide tenants with a safe, comfortable living environment that all can enjoy,” said manager Teresa Lang.
In order to meet the financial needs of their tenants White River Village’s rent is calculated based on a tenant’s adjusted monthly gross income. The tenant pays 30 percent of their income, minus dependent deductions, child care expenses, elderly household deductions, disability assistance and medical expenses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Agency provides a substantial amount of funds towards White River Village, allowing them to offer the personalized rent. Additionally, the town and a variety of other sources kick in to help with occasional costs.
Each apartment is a one bedroom, one bath and has a kitchen and living room area. They are also equipped with central air heating and cooling. The center also has a commons area for gatherings and offers satellite TV and a kitchen area along with a computer room and tenant mailboxes. The individual apartments do not have washer and dryer hookups within them, so a laundry facility with multiple washers and dryers are provided for free and the Town of Rangely provides maintenance personnel for repairs.
In addition to housing the Village creates opportunities for seniors to socialize and meet other personal needs. Across the street is the Radino Center where community members over 60 years old can go for an inexpensive lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Transportation is also available via the Rangely Rambler bus which travels to Vernal twice a month and to Grand Junction once a month, allowing seniors to purchase groceries and conduct doctor appointments. They also take a monthly field trip.
Because there is such a high demand for senior housing within Rangely there is a waiting list and units are first offered to eligible applicants with very low-income levels. In order to be placed on the waiting list or accepted in to White River Village, a tenant must be 62 years or older, or have a mental or physical disability. There are also income limits based on household size.
More information can be obtained by calling Teresa Lang at 970-675-8476.
By Jen Hill | [email protected]
