Affordable senior housing at Champlin Place: 'I finally feel I can relax'

ROCHESTER — Rodd Hersey, a resident of Champlin Place, an age 62-plus complex developed by Easterseals, says it is really affordable housing. He gave great credit to Easterseals, which is providing him housing for $350 per month.

Not all of the one- and two-bedroom apartments have rent prices as low Hersey's rate, but they are still affordably priced based on income.

The brand-new complex is located at 54 Healthcare Drive. It is independent living, not assisted living, but there are services and amenities offered to residents who need them, things like help managing their medication, help bathing or other aspects of daily living, and there is an adult day program.

"Older people need to be able to enjoy life," said Hersey. "They spent their lives doing for others and end up being warehoused. Easterseals made this happen. Coming here is like coming home. I have a place to come home to and I really love it here. I finally feel like I can relax."

Hersey lives in a one-bedroom apartment. It is new, beautifully decorated with things important to him.

How much is rent for Champlin Place apartments?

Marie Poole, a property manager for Easterseals, said there are 65 apartments in the new development, and residents began moving in this January. They are all currently spoken for and there is already a waiting list.

"The rents start at $1,100 to $1,200 per month for one bedroom, and $1,300-$1,400 for two bedrooms," said Poole. "We have 25 apartments based on a voucher program. They are rented based on 30% of the tenant's income."

The three-story buildings share a common room. Each floor has its own laundry and trash disposal. Books are beginning to accumulate in a resident-based library.

"It is its own campus," said Michele Talwani, a spokesperson for Easterseals. "The residents can meet with each other, form a community. They can be alone if that's what they choose. There is privacy for each resident, there is choice."

Talwani said Champlin Place was possible through a partnership with the New Hampshire Housing Authority, using tax credits for the construction and development.

Hersey grateful to find home after financial and health challenges

Hersey said he knows he was lucky to land an apartment.

Hersey heard about Champlin Place through his son. He said when he looked into it, he found out there were 65 people ahead of him and was told he could get on the waitlist.

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"I prayed and I got a lot of my family and friends to pray for me," he said. "I raised my son as a single parent, and it was sometimes rough. I have always tried to help others. I am 71 and I just lost a kidney to cancer. My landlord had just raised my rent again. I figure what happened is my karma."

There was an opening on the waitlist. Hersey called it the Good Samaritan effect.

"A real Good Samaritan does for others with no expectation of a return," he said. "I have always tried to live up to that."

Hersey moved in a few weeks ago.

"Marie called me and said, 'I have some good news,'" said Hersey. "I almost couldn't believe it. Even on a decent pension, things are tough out there. Now, I have a little left over each month. I can enjoy life a bit. I can buy art supplies, or a present. I have time to write, maybe go on a trip. My lifelong struggles are at an end, and I am home."

Rochester woman finds needed new home at Champlin Place

Resident Kathy Giberson, 66, was one of the first residents to move in. She didn't move far, being a longtime Rochester resident.

"I have been a Rochester resident for 12 years, living in a 55-plus mobile home park," said Giberson. "I heard about the groundbreaking held for this place last year ... and decided to come and check it out. I liked it. They were taking early waitlist tenants and I put my name in. I emailed Marie and I got pre-qualified."

Giberson owned her mobile home. She said she had no qualms selling it and moving to Champlin Place because the economy was making things difficult for her.

"I am retired, having worked for UNH," she said. "I bought my mobile home for $28,000 at the time, but things got out of my reach. I went to food lines a few times and I knew I had to make changes. Until this place came up, I had no idea what those changes might look like."

Giberson has two daughters, five grandchildren one great granddaughter. She said now she feels like she can breathe and enjoy her family. She said some of the residents are already planning a community garden.

"They did this for us," said Hersey. "Easterseals made this happen."

"We want people to be able to live their best life," said Poole. "They deserve this; it is an inalienable right. We want to help."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Champlin Place provides affordable senior housing in Rochester NH