Mountain Laurel Lodge
Bend, Oregon
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Mountain Laurel Lodge Bend, Oregon
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Frequently Asked Questions
The ApartmentsAre
the apartments furnished? No, the apartments are not furnished.
How
big are the apartments and how many bedrooms do they have? The building has 42
one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units.
The floor plans are similar in size, or even larger, than typical market
rate one- and two-bedroom apartments. There
are 2 one-bedroom floor plans – Unit Types A and B – measuring 704 square
feet and 724 square feet, respectively. There
are 3 two-bedroom floor plans – Unit Types C, D, and E – measuring 1060
square feet, 876 square feet, and 902 square feet, respectively.
Please click here to view the
individual floor plans. Do
the apartments have decks or balconies? How
big are they? All of the apartments have
balconies. The second floor
balconies measure approximately 6 feet by 10 feet (totaling about 60 square
feet). The third and fourth floor
balconies measure approximately 4 feet by 10 feet (totaling about 40 square
feet). Do
the apartments have extra storage? All of the apartments have
extra storage. All of the Type B
units have storage closets on the balconies.
All other apartments have storage lockers located in the parking garage. Are
the utilities gas or electric? Electric. Are
utilities included in rent? Mountain Laurel Lodge pays all water, garbage and sewer charges.
Residents are responsible for paying the electrical bill, which includes
all appliances, lights, and heating and cooling. Residents are also responsible for cable, phone and internet
charges. What
appliances are included? All apartments come equipped
with the standard kitchen appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers and
garbage disposals. Microwaves are
not provided. Each apartment has
hook-ups for a washer and dryer (stackable only), but the washer/dryer units
themselves are not provided. However,
the building has two laundry rooms with standard size, coin-operated
washers and dryers available to all residents. Are
there washers and dryers in the apartments? Each apartment has hook-ups
for a washer and dryer (stackable only), but the washer/dryer units themselves
are not provided. However, the
building has two laundry rooms with standard size, coin-operated washers
and dryers available to all residents. Are
the apartments air conditioned? Each apartment comes
equipped with a heating/cooling unit that serves to both heat and cool the unit
as needed. Will
cable television be available? Cable access is
available in each apartment. Residents
do have to pay for cable , but are charged at a reduced rate. Will
the apartments have internet access? Internet access is
available in each apartment. Residents
do have to pay for internet access, but are charged at a reduced rate.
In addition, the building has two computer centers with free
internet access available to all building residents. Does
the building have wheelchair accessible units? Yes, Mountain Laurel Lodge has three apartments that are fully accessible to persons in wheelchairs (two 1-bedroom units and one 2-bedroom unit). In addition, there are two apartments on the second floor which are accessible to persons with hearing and/or sight impairments. The Building/Property
Are
pets allowed? Yes, pets are allowed,
provided they weigh no more than 35 pounds.
Residents are restricted to no more than one dog, and no more than two
pets total, per apartment. A $400
pet deposit is required for any pet-owning household. Residents have the option of paying half of the pet deposit
($200) upon move-in, and the remaining $200 in $25 monthly installments. Is
smoking allowed in the building? Are
there smoking areas or smoking units? Mountain Laurel Lodge is a non-smoking facility. Smoking
is prohibited in all common areas and apartments, including balconies.
Smoking is also prohibited on the Mountain Laurel Lodge grounds. Does
the building have an elevator? Yes, there is one
centrally-located elevator. What
sort of common/recreation areas does the building have? The main common area is
the Ponderosa Room, a large, beautiful room with sizeable widows, exposed
trusses, and an adjacent warming kitchen. The
Ponderosa Room is used for weekly group meals, social events, and other
events, such as lectures, clinics and meetings.
The building also have a fitness room, a TV/game room, two computer
areas, a lobby/music room with a fireplace and a piano, and a large deck with a
fireplace off of the Ponderosa Room. Is
Mountain Laurel Lodge an assisted living or an independent living facility? Mountain Laurel Lodge is an
independent living facility. However,
a variety of services are available to the residents (see below). What
sort of resident services are available? Mountain Laurel Lodge has established relationships with the Central Oregon Council on Aging and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Central Oregon, two of the region’s primary providers of services to seniors. These organizations strive to meet the broad range of senior needs, from support services and case management to light housekeeping and transportation. In conjunction with these organizations, Mountain Laurel Lodge staff hosts weekly group meals, social events, lectures and other special events. In addition, we are continuing to work on establishing relationships with other businesses and agencies to bring a variety of activities and services to our residents, including educational opportunities, fitness activities, clinics and workshops.
Does
Mountain Laurel Lodge have a van or a shuttle for residents? We do not
currently have a van or a shuttle; however, we do hope to provide some sort of transportation service for our residents in
the future. In the meantime, our resident services providers – the
Council on Aging and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers – can assist with
organizing transportation. The City of Bend also has a fixed route bus
system as well as handicap accessible Dial-A-Ride system
that is available to the general public. Is
there parking available for the residents?
Is it weather-protected? Is
there a charge? Are the parking spaces assigned? Parking is available for
residents at no charge. The
majority of the parking spaces are located in the parking garage, with the
remainder outside the front door of the building.
Parking is assigned. Does
the building have laundry facilities? There are two laundry
rooms with standard size, coin-operated washers and dryers on the third and
fourth floors. The laundry rooms
are available for use by all Mountain Laurel Lodge residents. Does
the building have a computer lab? Yes, Mountain Laurel Lodge has two common computer areas with two computers in each area.
All common area computers have free internet access available to all
Mountain Laurel Lodge residents. Is
there controlled access to the building? The building is controlled access at all hours; 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year. How
do I get my garbage and recycling from my apartment down to the dumpsters? We hope to establish a relationship with a volunteer organization in Bend that would provide volunteers to cart garbage and recycling from the apartments to the dumpsters on a weekly basis. In the meantime, please contact our resident manager, Susan Brock, if you have difficulty getting your garbage and recycling to the dumpster Application and Move-In Process
Are there apartments available at
Mountain Laurel Lodge? Mountain Laurel Lodge is currently full.
If you wish to put your name on our waiting list, please contact Lynda
Webster at 541-389-7800 or mountainlaurel@cascade-management.com.
How
do I get on the waiting list? Contact Lynda Webster at 541-389-7800 or by email at: mountainlaurel@cascade-management.com What does the application process
entail? The application and screening process involves filling out application
materials, providing income and other documentation, and meeting with Cascade
Management staff (sometimes several times) either in-person or over the phone to
review and discuss the application and income screening process.
The length of the application and screening process can vary widely from
household to household, but typically takes about two weeks.
How
are residents selected? What determines who is selected and who isn’t? The two primary requirements to live at Mountain Laurel Lodge are related to age and income. At least one member of each household must be 55 years old or older at the time of move-in. Please click here to review income requirements. Apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the income and age requirements. Is
there any way I can increase my chances of getting an apartment? Eligibility for residence at
Mountain Laurel Lodge is based primarily on income and age.
Apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who
meet the income and age requirements. The
only way to move up on the waiting list is for households higher on the list to
be removed from the list (by moving
into the building, by failing to qualify, or by requesting to be removed from
the list). How
are apartments assigned? Can I choose which apartment I want? Residents that go through
the application process and qualify for residence at Mountain Laurel Lodge have their choice of apartments based on what’s available at the time.
Because the building is filled on a first-come, first-served basis,
those higher on the waiting list have greater choice in their selection of
apartments. What
will my move-in costs be? Upon move-in, residents are required to pay a security deposit, first month’s rent (prorated for the
portion of the month in which the resident is living at Mountain Laurel Lodge),
and if applicable, a pet deposit. Please
click here for details on move-in costs. Is
there a model we can view? We do not have a model apartment. However, prospective residents are welcome to tour the building and to see an empty apartment if one is available. To arrange a tour or to inquire about viewing an apartment, please contact Lynda Webster at 541-389-7800 or mountainlaurel@cascade-management.com. Qualifications
Can
I qualify if I have a savings account or other assets? Yes.
In determining eligibility, we consider annual income and assets.
Please click here for more
information on how assets are assessed in terms of eligibility. I
am over 55 but my wife it not. Can
we still live at Mountain Laurel Lodge? Yes.
Only one person in each household must be 55 years old or older at the
time of move-in. However, overall,
at least 80% of the residents of Mountain Laurel Lodge must be 55 or older. I’m
under 55 and disabled. Do I qualify to live at Mountain Laurel Lodge based on my
disabled status? No. Mountain Laurel Lodge is only available to households in
which at least one member of the household is 55 years old or older at the time
of move-in. However, overall, at
least 80% of the residents at Mountain Laurel Lodge must be 55 or older. I
am a single person. Can I qualify
to rent a two-bedroom apartment? Yes.
Through the application process, we will determine your income level and
rental rates. You have the option
of selecting either a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom apartment based on
availability and your ability to pay the monthly rent for your preferred unit.
Do
you have to be a resident of Deschutes County to qualify to live at Mountain
Laurel Lodge? No, you do not have to be a
resident of Deschutes County to qualify to live at Mountain Laurel Lodge.
Do
you have to be a citizen of the United States to qualify to live at Mountain
Laurel Lodge? No, you do not have to be a
United States citizen or a resident of the United States to qualify to live at
Mountain Laurel Lodge. However, at
the time you apply, you must be able to show that you have authorization to be
in the United States for at least the duration of your lease. Income Limits and Rental Rates
Do
you take Section 8 vouchers? Yes, Section 8 vouchers may
be used at Mountain Laurel Lodge, pending authorization by the Central Oregon
Regional Housing Authority. However,
Mountain Laurel Lodge staff will not administer the voucher program; you will
continue to work with your Section 8 representative at the Housing Authority
regarding your participation in the program. How
long will the apartments be affordable? Will
they become market rate before I am ready to move out? Mountain Laurel Lodge has
committed to remain affordable (i.e., to charge below-market rental rates) for a
period of 60 years from the time the building opens.
Will
the rental rates increase over time? Our rental rates are
determined based on the Median Family Income figures that the US Department of
Housing and Urban Development releases every year, and on the maximum rental
rates allowed by the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services.
If Median Family Income and the maximum allowable rental rates increase,
Mountain Laurel Lodge’s rental rates will likely increase as well.
However, we have committed to keeping our rental rates below the maximums
allowed by the state, and well below market rates, for the next 60 years.
Are
rental rates based on the income of the household, or are rents set based on the
apartment type?
Do I have to re-qualify every year?
Will I be required to move out if my income increases and goes over the
income limits? The Internal Revenue Service requires us to re-certify each resident of
Mountain Laurel Lodge on an annual basis, so you will need to provide income
documentation every year to our property management company.
However, you WILL NOT be required to move out if your income goes over
the income limits after your first year. How do you determine income? Do you look at tax forms from the previous year? In determining eligibility, income for the household is projected into the
upcoming year. In some cases, tax
returns from the previous year are the best indicator of future income.
In some cases, the previous year’s income is not a good indicator of
future income (e.g., a person has just retired). In these cases, other forms of documentation will be
considered and reviewed.
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