Sep 05 2006
LOHO Moves Forward with Senior Housing
By Colleen Smith

Murray Trelease (l) and Rip Van Camp (r) standing on the future site of The Hamlet.
Colleen Smith / Staff photo

A hamlet is coming to Lopez, and it's not the Shakespearean variety.

Lopez Housing Options (LOHO) will soon begin construction of The Hamlet on Lopez Island, a living facility for senior citizens. The LOHO board will be holding a community meeting on Thursday, September 7 at Lopez Center, 4:30-6:30 p.m., to answer questions, explain models and plans, and give locals a chance to talk with the architect.

This meeting is the culmination of four years of hard work that included conceptualizing the buildings, drawing plans, and raising money. "This has been a long road. And a substantial project for Lopez Island," said board chair Rip Van Camp. The details of the facility, like monthly costs and who can apply, will be explained during the meeting.

LOHO was founded four years ago after Murray Trelease, treasurer of LOHO, and Van Camp recognized the huge need for senior care on the island. They were joined by Helen Lewis, who also gave starting funds, Rita O'Boyle, and Gary Tabasinske, and began brainstorming. Within two years LOHO was a 501(c)3, a board was formed, and research was conducted.

The most recent census data shows Lopez has 2650 residents, 25 percent of whom are 62 and older. That segment of the population is expected to grow 19 percent by 2010. LOHO met with 150 Lopez seniors to outline their needs, and they overwhelmingly expressed a desire to stay rooted in their community. For many of the elderly, moving to a care facility may be inevitable, and nearly everyone LOHO interviewed wanted the option of staying on Lopez.

According to Mary O'Bryant, who is manager of client services for Lopez Hospice and Home Support and coordinator for Lopez Senior Services, "thirty residents moved off the island from lack of an appropriate care facility in the last four years."

Anne Foster wrote a passionate letter in support of LOHO, saying: "Hal and I hope to live the last years of our life in the solace of this pastoral little island, in the Hamlet where the elderly can live with dignity and grace."

The facility is a combination of an adult family home with 24-hour supervised care, 14 cottages (for both independent and semi-independent living), and a common building, where Hamlet seniors can socialize. Occupancy is set at approximately 30 people.

It will be located in Lopez Village on the property across from the Post Office, allowing seniors to walk to the pharmacy, clinic, market, shops, and the bank. LOHO is in the process of buying the land from Lauren and Jamie Stephens. "Without their support and generosity of making land available we wouldn't be able to make this project work," said Van Camp. LOHO is collaborating with Lopez Hospice, Lopez Medical Clinic, and Lopez Senior Services to provide full support for residents of the Hamlet.

"I was told several years ago by experienced advisors that Lopez was too small for this kind of facility. They didn't know Lopez," said Trelease. The final design plans are an "Innovative Rural Model," the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else. "Lopez does unusual things and this is an unusual project," said Van Camp.

The total cost of the development is "in the $4 million range," said Van Camp. Trelease added that "in addition to the funds solicited, donated and pledged locally, we are pursuing the remainder of the funding through government, bank and foundation sources."

Construction is slated to begin in early 2007. The architect is Jed Clark with Arbor North, who also designed the Lopez Children's Center. LOHO hopes for occupancy in the buildings by the end of 2007 and early 2008.

Trelease encourages the community to attend the September 7 meeting. "Lopez is going to be delighted, yet again, by the charm, beauty and great value of this wonderful project," he said.

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