February 15, 2008

Chesterbrook Residences Hosts Dedication Ceremony

On Sunday, Feb. 10, Chesterbrook Residences, Fairfax County’s first mixed-income assisted living facility, hosted a dedication ceremony for the property.  Containing 97 units (85 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units), Chesterbrook will be home for up to 109 residents, 62 years of age and older who need assistance with at least one “activity of daily living,” such as bathing/dressing, feeding, personal care, medication coordination and monitoring of safety.  Of the 97 units, 49 are reserved for very low-income seniors with incomes below $33,000; five units are set aside for very low-income seniors with incomes below $20,000. Of the remaining units, 6 will be below market rate and 42 will be market rate. However, even the market rate units are offered at prices below that charged by the typical for-profit assisted living facility. Unlike most assisted living facilities, every unit at Chesterbrook Residences has a separate bedroom.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served to residents each day, and a range of recreational, arts and crafts and entertainment activities are offered.  The property also includes an enclosed courtyard that allows residents to enjoy the outdoors in a safe manner.   A volunteer services program, “staffed” by members of the sponsoring congregations, augments the services provided by the professional staff.  

Fairfax County was a major funder for the project.  Fairfax County provided $1,504,000 from the Housing Trust Fund and $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds. In addition, Fairfax County is providing on-going project-based rental vouchers for 49 low income tenants.  The Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA) provided bond financing for Chesterbrook and the Commonwealth of Virginia contributed $190,000 to the project, and United Bank provided a $1.3 million loan for pre-development costs.

The developer and owner of the facility is Chesterbrook Residences, Inc. (CRI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonsectarian organization established in 2001. Current members include Lewinsville and Immanuel Presbyterian Churches, Temple Rodef Shalom and the National Capital Presbytery (NCP).  Grimm+Parker of McLean was the architect; Harkins Builders of Marriottsville, Maryland constructed the facility. Coordinated Services Management of Roanoke provides management.