The application process for the new 1449 Senior Estates affordable senior housing development in Aurora is now closed after the city received 1,000 applications for the 70 available homes there in just three days.
As announced on Tuesday, the goal was to collect up to 300 applicants over the next 30 days for the homes in the development at 1449 Jericho Road on the far West Side of the city, officials said.
More than three times that many applications were submitted between Wednesday and Friday, according to city officials, who called the response “overwhelming.” Because of the response, officials at the Aurora Housing Authority and the Northern Lights Development Corporation closed the application window and will now begin the process of selecting applicants.
The goal is to select 10 to 15 tenants per month beginning in May to fill the 70 duplexes and single-family homes, which will be completed by early fall, officials said.
Priority preference will be given to current Aurora residents and veterans.
The first group of approved residents will be announced in May, which is National Affordable Housing Month, city officials said.
Ralph Jordan, Aurora Housing Authority director, said on Tuesday that all inhabitants of the units must be at least 62 years old. There also is a household income eligibility of between $15,000 to $45,000 a year. Once selected, occupants will pay rent of 30% of their income.
The development will feature a clubhouse, on-site management offices, a media center, fitness club, pickleball courts and an outdoor community area. Officials said the walking path winding through the development will go by the nearby Jericho Lake, and even have places for people to sit and enjoy the lake.