Date of Release: 03/05/2008
Fort Wayne, IN – Community Housing Concepts (CHC), a Denver-based non-profit organization, is nearing completion on a year-long $1 Million renovation of the East Central Apartments located at 905 East Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN. The East Central Apartments include 142 elderly units in the apartment towers and 24 multi-family town home units. All of the apartment units receive Section 8 affordable housing subsidies from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. CHC acquired the property in March of 2007.

CHC is dedicated to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing options for its residents and revitalizing low income communities. CHC owns thirteen affordable housing communities with 1503 units in five states.

Hud Karshmer, President of CHC, expressed the organization's “strong commitment to working closely with the Fort Wayne community to ensure that the property provides quality housing to the residents.” Long term, CHC plans to work with the Fort Wayne Housing Authority, which acts as the community advisory board for East Central, and with residents at the property to improve the operation and management of the property.

When construction is complete, CHC will have invested a total of almost $1 million in funds to rehabilitate the property including a new roof, balconies, a new key card security system, and improvements to outdoor lighting. Upgrades and replacements also have been made to the building’s interior including new cabinets and appliances in the Community Kitchen, elevator improvements, and new smoke detectors throughout the buildings.

Community Manager Tammy Frantom hopes to create a new atmosphere at East Central and is working closely with the local police to ensure resident safety. “With the help of our new Maintenance Supervisor, Ronnie Miles, our team of staff has made great progress instigating improvements for our residents and the community as a whole. In addition to major renovations, we are planning many events and social gatherings in order to renew the sense of community at East Central.”

As part of its commitment to affordable housing, CHC has agreed to keep the property affordable and ensure that ownership will remain with a non-profit organization for the next 50 years.

CHC selected Monroe Group, Ltd. to serve as the property management company for East Central. Monroe Group, Ltd. manages 23 multi-family properties totaling 2,210 units. Its portfolio includes Project Based Section 8, LIHTC and mixed-income developments in Colorado, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina and Missouri.