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12/04/07
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LAKE FOREST, Calif. — The 50+ Housing Council Board, a special interest council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, today announced the winners to the 13th annual SAGE Awards held on November 28th. The program honors and recognizes the most talented and successful individuals, projects and programs that have made outstanding contributions to enhancing the quality of life for Southern California residents aged 50+. The competition accepts entries from participating individuals and organizations that represent companies, projects and programs in Southern California from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
This year’s Project of the Year award was shared by two projects – Airforce Village West and Dorado Senior Apartments developed by Simpson Housing Solutions, LLC. Airforce Village West was honored for the innovation and thoughtfulness employed to “reinvent and renew” this project as the needs of its residents changed over time. Built in 1989 to accommodate retired Air Force officers (and their spouses, or widows/widowers), Air Force Village West offers different levels of care ranging from independent living to Alzheimer’s.
The renovation included a new kitchen, a new dining room for AL residents, and a well-received café, all in recognition that dining should be an experience for people at all levels of care – particularly important in this setting, since the market served is well educated and well traveled. The renovation also included construction of 35 new single-family homes, in response to market demand. New courtyards, an updated entry and other renovations were made to encourage opportunities to socialize and enjoy outdoor space. Air Force Village West plans future renovations and additions to continue to “customize” for their residents.
Dorado Senior Apartments in Buena Park, another SAGE winner, is a remarkable testimony to perseverance, patience and the ability to do “whatever it takes” to build housing for low-income seniors. This is an affordable, urban in-fill project that was built in a public/private venture between Simpson Housing Solutions LLC, the city of Buena Park, and Orange County. Radical shifts in financing sources during pre-development required the developer to continuously revamp very intricate financing, each time requiring the City’s approval and support. At the same time, efforts were ongoing to built community support, maintain site control, and oversee design elements that would be important to residents when the project was finally built. (Despite rents well below market, at 30% to 60% of Area Median Income, Dorado Apartments includes a wide array of amenities – large community room with media room and business/computer center, a pool and fitness center, etc.) Dorado Senior Apartments was 100% leased within two months of opening, at absorption averaging 90 units per month, underscoring the deep need for affordable senior housing, and making the dedication it took to get the project built all the more impressive.
The SAGE Award for Program of the Year was given to South County Senior Services [SCSS]. Under the leadership of CEO Marilyn Ditty, D.P.A., South County Senior Services has been providing essential services, resources and programs to low-income seniors of South Orange County (San Clemente to Corona del Mar) since 1975. SCSS has 13 centers providing services ranging from meals-on-wheels (415,000+ meals delivered in 2006), transportation, Adult Day Health Care, in-home support, case management, caregiver respite and health and wellness. SCSS has been involved in the development of four low-income senior projects, with others on the drawing boards, and an active advocate and resource for many senior housing developers and cities pursing city-sponsored senior centers. Dr. Ditty was named SAGE Person of the Year in 1998.
The SAGE Person of the Year was awarded to Carl Irwin, AIA, Founder, Irwin Pancake Architects. A respected industry pioneer, Irwin has been a leader in the design and innovation of senior communities for 40 years. The firm he established in 1966, Irwin Architectural Group (now Irwin Pancake Architects), has specialized in senior housing since 1985. In addition to his direct involvement in 300+ senior communities across the country, Carl’s accomplishments have positively affected the entire industry: he wrote the R2.1 and R2.2 sections of the Uniform Building Code that apply to seniors, and has lectured and written extensively on aging design issues. He teamed with Best Bath in the late 1990s to develop a roll-in dam that served as a model for shifting the entire 50+ housing industry toward improved ADA compliance.
“The SAGE Awards pay homage to the best 50+ projects, people and programs in the 50+ housing sector and related services,” said Julia Moore, president of the 50+ Housing Council Board and director of housing at Community Housing Management Services in Cerritos, CA. “This program continues to recognize innovative and noteworthy people, and accomplishments that demonstrate the passionate commitment that improves the lives of those in our area who are 50+.”
SAGE finalists and their guests enjoyed a festive dinner and the awards ceremony held on November 28, 2007 at Turnip Rose Grand Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA.
About 50+ Housing Council
50+ Housing Council provides networking, education and partnering prospects for Southern California professionals involved in every aspect of building housing specifically for persons aged 50+ − active adult, “age-targeted,” senior condos, 55+ apartments, CCRC’s, Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s care and more. For more information, visit www.50PlusHC.com.
About BIA/SC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIA/SC) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,950 member companies employing over 250,000 persons who are engaged in all aspects of building homes and communities throughout Southern California.
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