Homeownership in Allegany County
The SAIL Project
SAIL (Senior Independent Affordable Living) is a proposed development to be built in the City of Cumberland designed to help local seniors move out of their hard-to-maintain older houses, yet remain in their home community. We hope to offer ownership to seniors within a wide range of income and who can benefit from supportive services and a community atmosphere. They can continue to live independent, vibrant, connected, and full lives.
Over the last 30 years, Cumberland has lost over half of its population from nearly 50,000 at its peak to just over 20,000 today. In most cases, the children of the current senior population have moved out of the area permanently to find steady work after local industries have closed. For years, local religious leaders have wrestled with the problem of increasingly isolated and ever-aging congregations in a city of predominately older homes. After raising families in homes intended for the larger families of the early part of the last century, many older parishioners wish or need to move into homes more suited to their current circumstances. By reducing the monthly cost of keeping a home, and virtually eliminating maintenance requirements, elderly households can remain independent much longer and still remain near the church and friends that are often the center of their daily lives.
Located on several acres at the eastern edge of Cumberland, the wooded site overlooks the distinctive hills of the City and is only minutes away from downtown. With the planned relocation of the Western Maryland Health System hospital and professional campus less than two miles away, state-of-the-art health care will be more accessible than ever before.
Our concept plan is for 54 for sale units. We would serve people with income ranging from $21,000 to $56,000. The area median income is $48,400. Using the natural terrain to our advantage, we can build homes offering single level living with full accessibility and no steps to contend with. A centrally located Community Center is planned where events such as blood-pressure screening, meetings, educational opportunities, and discussion groups can be held. High speed internet and public computers will be available.
We estimate the sales price of for sale units will range between $110,000 and $145,000 depending on options chosen, type of unit and income of the buyer. Depending on the amount of down payment available to the buyer, for sale units would be available for individuals with incomes starting at $21,520. The upper income for which we will be targeting is 120% of the area median.
The project will be divided in to two phases. Phase I will begin with the construction of 2 single-family for sale units as early as November in 2007. Phase II, the Site Development Work, will begin in late November 2007 with completion by early spring. Construction of the remaining units will start in early 2008 and we plan an 18 month build out.
All units will be designed with senior living in mind, including single-level units, wheelchair accessible units, and ‘adaptable’ units designed with future mobility needs in mind. Units will be available for occupancy for persons 55 years or older. The property will be governed by deed restrictions with enforcement of the covenants under a Homeowners Association Charter. The development will also be maintenance free with lawn care and snow removal included. The Home Owner’s Association will also be able to provide the same services either directly or by outside contract.
Interfaith Housing Alliance had been asked to be the developer of the SAIL Project by the members of the SAIL Committee composed of representatives from local Lutheran, Episcopal and Catholic congregations, the Mayor of Cumberland, the Western Maryland Health System, and other interested parties.
The Mayor and Council has donated the land for one ($1) dollar. The SAIL committee has provided $15,000 pre-development funding. The Interfaith Development Loan Fund has approved $116,100 in additional funding for the pre-development cost.
