New senior community opens in Zanesville

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- There’s a new senior community in town.

The Valley View Place hosted their grand opening Monday morning. The project, that was five years in the making, was a partnership between the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation and the Muskingum Economic Opportunity Action Group (MEOAG).

Ian Maute, Vice President of Development for Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, said the partnership on the 34-unit neighborhood was an ideal match.

“We really value partnering with local non-profit agencies such as MEOAG because they know the community better than us. They know the folks with the city, with the county, with the township, they have a good feel for the residents and it’s just very helpful to work with a local group that has a base here,” said Maute.

The Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, based out of Columbus, develops and owns approximately 3,000 units throughout Ohio and the surrounding states, according to Maute.

The primary financing for the Valley View Place property was low income housing tax a credit, a competitive federal program administered through the state. This funding required specific income criteria for eligibility.

“They do have to meet an income guideline that is set by the program which helps finance the property and they do have to be 55 or older to live here, there is an application process that they have to go through,” said Michael Hood, MEOAG Housing Services Director.

To be qualified for this development, resident’s must make less than 60% of the area median income, which is verified during the application process.

MEOAG has a number of programs in additional to the affordable housing program including employment training, community meals and support services for veterans families. According to their mission statement, they aim to provide services that lead to self sufficiency.

“Affordable housing is very important for our community, there’s certainly a shortage of it, and this is a good step in the direction of trying to supply a good need here in the community,” said Hood.

The neighborhood has 16 one-bedroom units and 18 two-bedrooms. They starting leasing in December and all units are currently filled.