Mike Wolanin | The Republic An exterior view of the Villas Apartments in Columbus, Ind., Monday, April 29, 2024.
The owner of an affordable housing complex in Columbus said all its residents secured new housing arrangements before the property closed on July 31.
Property owner BHI Senior Living had originally planned to close the 99-unit Villas apartments at 4101 Waycross Drive by the end of April, when its contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that subsidized rent for its residents was set to expire.
The company later received extensions from HUD “provide added time and flexibility for those (residents) still in transition,” company officials said previously.
Residents received tenant protection vouchers in April that aimed to help them relocate. In total, 41 residents and families used the vouchers, according to BHI Senior Living spokeswoman Megan Ulrich.
“All residents were able to secure new housing prior to the Villas’ closure,” Ulrich said. “Most relocated to communities in and around Columbus, in areas where they preferred to live. A few residents moved in with family members.”
However, the Columbus Housing Authority is still assisting one resident, who is staying with family in the meantime, Ulrich said. Columbus Housing Authority Executive Director Alan Degner did not return phone calls seeking comment.
The closure of the Villas came about 15 months after BHI Senior Living announced that it would be closing the housing complex.
The company said last year that the decision reflected its strategy to shift away from multi-family housing that does not include a health care component and focus on providing care to older adults through its continuing care retirement communities.
The closure of The Villas did not impact Four Seasons Retirement Community, which BHI Senior Living also owns.
City officials also formed a subcommittee last year tasked with helping the nearly 100 low-income residents, including some who are elderly or disabled following BHI Senior Living’s decision to close the complex.
Currently, BHI Senior Living is “evaluating options” for the property now that it is closed, officials said.
“We are currently evaluating options for the property,” Ulrich said. “No final decisions have been made at this time.”
