Times Community Newspaper, September 16, 2003
Coppermine Place both accessible, affordable

By Kali Schumitz

Workers broke ground on a new development for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities in McNair Farms Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Coppermine Place I will be the first fully handicapped-accessible complex in Fairfax County. To live there, people must have a disability and meet certain income requirements. Coppermine Place II is targeted to low-income senior citizens.

The project, partially funded by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a partnership between two nonprofit developers--Alexandria-based Wesley Housing Development Corp. and Accessible Space Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn.

Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D), a strong supporter of the project from its inception, said she was surprised to learn that the project was the first of its kind in the county. Other developments have some accessible units or some low-income units.

"It's exciting to be breaking ground on a much-needed space in the county," Hudgins said.

Alvin Smuzynski, president and CEO of Wesley Housing, said producing affordable housing in Northern Virginia is "almost impossible" because land is so expensive. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Fairfax County is $1,222.

As a nonprofit affiliated with United Methodist churches, Wesley has been able to develop 18 communities in the region for low- and moderate-income families.

Hudgins also noted a "critical need for affordable housing" in the county. She hopes Coppermine Place will serve as a model for other developers and said it opens up other avenues for exploration.

"What other partnerships can be made? ... How much of our regular housing meets accessibility standards? How are we going to change developing housing in general?" Hudgins asked.

Residents in Coppermine Place I will receive rent subsidies from HUD and will not pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent.

This section of the complex will have 22 one- and two-bedroom apartments that are functional for people in wheelchairs. This includes common-area hallways wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass each other, more open floor plans, roll-in showers and lower countertops and light switches.

Stephen Vander Schaaf, president and CEO of Accessible Space, said the combination of affordable rents and accessible buildings is essential for people with disabilities.

"There's very little of it throughout the country," he said. Accessible Space has worked on about 90 similar projects nationwide.

Unfortunately, Vander Schaaf said the demand usually exceeds the supply. "We'll easily see 20 applications per apartment. The hard thing will be having to say 'no.'"

Smuzynski said that, even before they had broken ground, there were about 40 inquiries about the development.

Rents for Coppermine Place II, the senior housing section, will range from about $750 to $900 a month, depending on income level and the size of the apartment. That section will have 66 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

"There's an ongoing demand for affordable housing for seniors," Smuzynski said.

Both buildings have community rooms with activities for residents.

Construction is expected to be completed in about 14 months.