Woodspring Apartments Renovations Project

No. Your rent will remain the same during your current lease period. There may be gradual rent increases over time (just as it is now). There will be no rent increases due to the renovations.

If after the income certification process, it is determined that your income is greater than the maximum allowable income to remain at Woodspring Apartments, you will be provided with relocation assistance to find and secure a replacement home. These benefits are a specific calculation based on your household income and comparable replacement housing options. You must go through the income certification process, which must be conducted by a third-party, to qualify for relocation benefits.

Yes. If you are asked to move temporarily, your lease and rental assistance contract will still be in full force and effect during renovations.

Changes in federal funding will likely not impact the planned renovations. The Housing Authority of Washington County is closely tracking federal policy and will inform residents if there are changes in federal funding that impact the project.

Every resident is being given a General Information Notice (GIN). These notices are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and must be delivered to residents in one of two ways: Hand delivery, with signed acknowledgement requested, or by Certified Mail. Your signature only acknowledges that you received the notice. The notice informs you that you are not being asked to move right now. If you move voluntarily, without receiving proper notice, you will not be eligible for relocation benefits.

No.

No, we anticipate that most of the work can be completed while residents are in their units, however there will be some units where the work requires the resident to temporarily relocate. It is the goal of the Housing Authority of Washington County to minimize the disruption and impact of construction on residents. If relocation is required, we will limit the amount of time that you are out of your apartment as much as possible.

We will have a tentative relocation plan developed in the next couple of months and we expect to share it with each impacted resident with information regarding their individual unit work and specific relocation assistance prior to start of construction.

Yes. You must pay your rent and maintain your utilities and obligations under your current lease. Any costs related to relocation will be at no cost to residents. Even while you are temporarily relocated, you are not vacating your apartment. You still have a lease in your current home and hold all the rights and responsibilities under that lease. You will be required to continue to pay your tenant-paid portion of rent and maintain utilities while you are relocated. The costs associated with relocation, such as the temporary housing and utilities will be paid by Woodspring Apartments. You will return to your existing apartment after unit construction unless you have requested and been granted a transfer through management for a reasonable accommodation.

If there is any increase in your utility usage, we will ask for a copy of the previous month’s bill and the current bill during relocation and we will pay you for the difference so that you can cover those costs.

We will note any children that require school transportation during your one-on-one interview. Residents with school-age children that require busing to school will be prioritized to stay on-site.

If we can complete construction with your items in your unit, we will try to do so. If they must be moved, we will hire professional movers to move your items to climate-controlled storage during renovations. Your items will be insured against loss or damage during moving and storage and will be stored separately. Then, they will be returned to your unit after construction.

If we determine that you require packing assistance to move your items, we can hire movers to pack your items. We will cover this in your resident interview.

The longest period of relocation will likely be no more than 8 weeks. Rather than stop mail service, put in a change of address and restart mail service, it is likely going to be easier to keep your mail service coming to your apartment and provide you with transportation assistance to come back to the property to collect your mail regularly. If you have delivered medications or meal on wheel services, we will discuss at your resident interview so that we can accommodate those needs.

We will discuss any special needs in your resident interview. Your relocation team will make sure that any special needs for mobility or disability are addressed.

Renovations are expected to begin in fall/winter of 2025 and be completed in 18 months. Renovations include the replacement of exterior sidings, windows, and roofing, as well as accessible pathways and upgrades to the community clubhouse and other common area amenities. The interior units will include selective new finishes, including cabinets, appliances, and flooring. All units will be provided with new decks and balcony railings. The construction scope of work is dynamic, and could change, as unknown conditions exist within the buildings that may need to be addressed.

Yes, all balconies will receive new decking and railings.

It is unlikely that we will be able to provide insulation in the walls and floors. This item will be added to the “wish list” to be considered if there are enough extra funds available.

To limit the amount of relocation needed and to minimize the impact to residents, you may stay in your apartment while exterior repairs are taking place. We will renovate on a building-by-building basis to complete the work as quickly as possible.

No. Select units will receive accessibility improvements. Common area improvements will meet ADA requirements as well.

This is not yet confirmed as we are still evaluating the budget and will try to make heating and cooling units available in the apartments.

Parking lighting is on the list of items that we are hoping to improve. We should be able to confirm the exterior lighting plan in the next couple of months.

We are assessing our ability to include a playground in the renovation scope. We should be able to confirm by the end of the summer.

If you have new features in your unit that are in good shape, we may not need to replace them, and they will remain.

As is routine before construction starts, an environmental testing company was hired to do selective testing for asbestos and lead paint. The results of the asbestos tests concluded that none of the 192 samples contained asbestos building materials. The results of the lead-based paint testing concluded that none of the 256 samples were lead-based paints. These tests are being done to ensure resident safety.

Securing financing is critical to starting construction on the renovation and we believe there is a high likelihood that the project will be successfully funded this year and construction will begin after the funding is secured.

The schedule and order of construction have not yet been determined. We will develop this schedule over the next couple of months.

Yes. Construction will note any existing features of accommodation and make sure they remain or are replaced following construction.