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Taylorsville • A new apartment complex is offering affordable housing for low-income seniors while going easy on the environment.
Plymouth View Senior Housing is the first "green" structure in its class in the 10-state Western region managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The building — which is certified under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes Guidelines — boasts a geothermal energy system and other energy-efficient features.
Plymouth View also offers a slew of amenities. The residents are thrilled with their new digs and the waiting list for one of the 60 apartments filled quickly as the complex was being constructed at 4764 S. Plymouth Drive (1625 West).
"It's a beautiful place. What's not to like?" said 82-year-old Pat Wulle, who moved from a nearby mobile-home park.
Wulle especially likes the low rent, which includes utilities. She paid more for a space at her former location, plus high utility bills on top of that.
To qualify to live at Plymouth View, residents must be at least 62 years old and have an annual income of no more than $24,000 for one person or $28,000 for two. Those who qualify pay 30 percent of their income for rent.
These renters get a lot for their money. The 540-square-foot one-bedroom apartments include a balcony, stone countertops and maple cabinets. Many have a view of the mountains.
The three-story building has common living areas, a computer room, a craft center, a wellness room where residents can meet with their health-care professionals, a library and a hair salon. All apartments and hallways are built to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
Plymouth View is adjacent to the Taylorsville Senior Recreation Center and a park. Shopping is close by and transportation is convenient, thanks to a bus stop built by Utah Non-Profit Housing Corp. in front of the complex.
The apartment building, which opened in late May, was built on land donated by Taylorsville and funded with about $10.7 million in federal, state, county and local money.
Many of the residents already knew each other through the senior center, so there was an immediate feeling of community, according to manager Jennifer Boulden.
"A lot of them watched [Plymouth View] being built," Boulden said. "It fit their life, and here they are."
Plymouth View Senior Housing
The complex was built through the combined efforts of the Utah Non-Profit Housing Corp., Taylorsville, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development, Utah's Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, architect Harold P. Woodruff, Salt Lake County and Kier Construction.