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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1982)
agM en n on. begins H lections run-off. tothefn dent, iry, trea y andsf local / state Battalion/Page 5 September 17, 1982 xa Curt] V attentt accuui rhat ol )mpani ameh •r hot I oking who n in king i exero sualtiti ige ami rence y othft said it Sylvest s. “It's factot. rill, uni the y, inti rom (it 3rd Ct u - al Naj i acros jxercist 'Septa LULAC sponsors condos for elderly by Ann Ramsbottom Battalion Reporter Nestled discreetly among apartments on Anderson Street lies a complex where the stereos don’t blare, gardens flourish and a certain sense of per manency prevails. A neatly primped poodle lies relaxed on the porch of one unit. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) sponsors the LULAC Oak Hill apartments for the elderly which has successfuly housed re sidents, 62 and older, for one year. “The condominiums are made up of 50 one- and two- tenant units and they’re all full,” said Pete Ramirez, president of LULAC Oak Hill apartments. “There’s even a waiting list.” Consca Quintana, one of Oak Hill’s tenants, smiled as she told about the festivities during the apartment’s first anniversary celebration August 29. Quintana and her sister, Lupe Mendez were sitting in the pleasant, nicely furnished apart ment lounge as they explained their experience at the complex. “It’s very different from home,” Quintana said. “We’re very comfortable and we have each other if we become ill or need someone to talk with.” Ramirez said the tenants are not bed-ridden, but there is a 24-hour watch available. Quin tana spoke fondly of Ramirez, former state chaplain for LULAC. “Pete takes such good care of us,” she said. “He’s really in terested. Pete sends people door to door to check on us some times.” “There are many elderly peo pie in rest homes that shouldn’t be there,” Ramirez said. “Sor of our tenants would be in homes if LULAC didn’t exist,” Ramirez said. LULAC has a statewide hous ing program for the aged, but LULAC Oak Hill housing is the only one of its kind in the Bryan College Station area. Plans have been made to build another local complex soon. Border towns may get help United Press International BROWNSVILLE — The House Committee on Small Business may soon have legisla tion offering low-interest loans to border town businesses crushed by the peso devaluation but the committee’s General Counsel, Tom Powers, cautioned against over optimism. Assigned by the House com mittee to gather information ab out the possible legislation, Pow ers said Wednesday reduced- rate loans may be available. But he warned about 50 busi ness leaders against waiting for the lower rate. The Small Business Adminis tration has $200 million avail able at 14 percent for small businesses on the border, Pow ers said, but funds are available only through Sept. 30. President Reagan’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year has no funds allotted for SBA loans, Powers said, and businessmen could lose out waiting to see if there’ll be a special program. Congress should adjourn in early October and unless law makers take emergency action, it will be February before new legislation would be considered. Businessmen voiced concern over the glut of pesos in Brown sville, saying local banks are not exchanging the Mexican cur rency. “Border trade is dependent on^the ability of businessmen to exchange the pesos,” Steve Bosio, manager of the Brown sville Chamber of Commerce, said. Elderly ID 111 (continued from page 1) Ramirez said he felt an alter native was needed for the elder ly in Brazos County and funds Were available through the LULAC organization. “Once you set them in nurs ing homes, they think you’re putting them in there just to get rid of them,” Ramirez said. The Oak Hill apartments are unfurnished, one-story, dark- wood structures with carpet and central heat and air- conditioning. Money for the project was subsidized federally by the De partment of Housing and Urban Development through Section 8 of the rental assistance program. Because of the subsidy, pay ments are relatively inexpensive for Oak Hill tenants, who pay 25 percent of their monthly income in addition to being granted a $35 utility allowance. Residents have to be at least 62 years old to qualify for hous ing— unless a tenant is disabled. Then younger tenants may qualify. Another complex for the elderly, Westminster Terrace, in Louisville, Ky., is now in its 16th year of operation. Westminster is a combination of 93 retire ment apartments and 112 nursing-beds. Robert Elliott, executive dire ctor of Westminster, said the facility is called “congregate care,” which means meals, trans portation and laundry services are provided. The cost for retirement apart ments at Westminster is a $8,500 refundable declining deposit and $560 monthly rent. Resi dents receive 30 free days in the nursing home if the need arises, Elliott said. “There are about 200 like this model in the country,” Elliott said. Approximately 3 to 4 million specialized elderly units of apartment living are subsidized or developed by the govern ment, said Larry Lane, director for public policy for the Amer ican Association of Homes for the Aging. “They (the elderly) are usual ly dependent upon other shelter enviornments,” he said. Lane said Section 8 of the re ntal housing assistance of new construction provides housing assistance to about 3.2 million people. “Shelter is separate from the social and medical need,” Lane said. “An over-attentiveness to the medical need may mean sending a person to a nursing home prematurely.” Virginia Woods, daughter of 69-year-old Oak Hill tenant, Julia Gray, said: “Orginally, she came down to live with us, but I found out about this place (Oak Hill) and thought, boy would that be great for my mother. “One of the best things for my mother is that she can meet friends her own age. 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