Wesley Towers, a senior living campus serving residents in independent, assisted, long-term and memory care settings, has recently renovated nine apartments thanks to help from local partnerships and ARPA funding.
“Our Chief Operating Officer, Nabeel Khokhar and Kellyanne Lanham, a local realtor discussed the housing shortage in Hutchinson and the fact that we need more housing that's affordable for seniors. Nabeel happened to mention that we have a building in our community with nine units, that needed some updates and repairs to be put back into operation," said Mark Mains, Wesley Towers President and CEO. “This is how we found out that ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds might be available.”
Ready for Revival
Wesley Towers submitted a grant proposal for $30,000, and was grateful when it was approved, giving them a leg-up in getting these vacant senior apartments back up and running. With Wesley Towers matching the grant through its own foundation and then some, the total project amount was roughly $100,000—or approximately $11,000 per apartment.
“This grant was essential,” said Mark. “We hear constantly that Hutchinson has a housing shortage. This project allows us to contribute to the solution. The project is a win-win, especially when considering the high costs of developing new housing units. The return on investment here is significant when you compare it to the expense of building nine brand-new units.”
Beyond creating affordable housing, the project also positively impacts the local economy. Wesley Towers hired local contractors for the renovation, meaning the project costs directly contribute to the community.
The Asbury Apartments building opened in late August, and features nine units, ranging from smaller one-bedroom apartments to larger two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with washer/dryer hookups. There’s also an attached garage, and a community room for gatherings.
More Than Just Housing
“We offer more than just a place to live,” said Jen Shroyer, Wesley Towers VP of Public Relations “Once you become a resident on our campus, you have priority access to our home health services, transportation, and healthcare facilities. The thing about Wesley Towers is it's a community, we have lots of wonderful people living here and lots of wonderful people working here.”
The Asbury Apartment renovation project not only represents Wesley Towers' dedication to creating affordable housing for seniors while maintaining a sense of community and support for its residents, it also reflects the community’s commitment to investing in proven partners who offer sustainable solutions.
For more information on the housing initiatives in Reno County, please visit renocountyhousing.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carissa Paxton, Housing Coordinator
City of Hutchinson
620-259-4151
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