Feb 27 2007
LOHO now accepting applications

By Amanda Leidig

Lopez Housing Options (LOHO), the innovative senior housing hamlet that will include an adult family home, six affordable cottages, eight market-priced cottages and a gathering place, is now accepting applications from Lopez residents of two years or more, who are 62 years of age or older and are in good health and able to live independently. The applications are for the 14 planned cottage units.

The date that the application is submitted, with the $500 application fee, will determine who gets precedence. "Those who get their applications in first will be in a priority position," said Rip Van Camp, who helped spearhead the LOHO project. The application packets are available at the LOHO office (located in the old Fish Bay Lumber Building across from the Post Office). Call (360) 468-2620 for more information or contact Van Camp at (360) 468-3692.

The adult family home portion of the hamlet project, which is largely funded by a nearly $1 million United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) low-interest loan, has extended an invitation for bids. There will be a pre-bid meeting for contractors at the LOHO office on Tuesday, March 6. As it is a Federal loan, lowest bid will win the project. Bids for the adult family home portion of the project are due by March 27.

According to Van Camp, a contractor will be chosen by the end of March and construction is planned for April. It is LOHO's hope to begin construction on the cottages and gathering place within the first six months of 2007. The start dates of the final two components of the project will depend largely on securing the funds from banks, entrance fees and foundations. "It all depends on financing," said Van Camp.

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