Jewish Tower Renovation Approved by HUD

The Jewish Tower in Atlanta, a 200-apartment independent living facility that provides affordable housing to seniors, is getting a facelift.

Jewish HomeLife, which owns and manages the Tower, says that upgrades will focus on major systems and infrastructure overhauls, including new wiring, plumbing, air, heating and cooling systems, as well as apartment renovations. All units will also get updated floors, bathrooms and kitchens.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which subsidizes rent at the Tower, requires that the renovation project be completed within two years. Common areas of the building, which are not covered by the HUD loan, will be renovated in the second phase of this two-part project using funds Jewish HomeLife plans to raise independently.

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During remodeling, residents will be temporarily relocated to vacant apartments while their individual units are under construction. (Jewish HomeLife will be moving each resident’s belongings when it is their turn.) The 60-unit Zaban Tower, Jewish HomeLife’s other independent living community, is a HUD-subsidized building that will also be getting some updates.

Both the Jewish and Zaban Towers received the National Community of Quality award in 2021 for outstanding management and were among a select few to receive recognition and approval for HUD funding in 2022. The award to the Jewish Tower was presented at the annual meeting of the National Affordable Housing Management Association in Washington, D.C., in March. The Zaban Tower won the same award shortly after this meeting.

Jewish HomeLife’s president and CEO, Jeffrey A. Gopen, said that the “renovation, the first in over 40 years, will ensure The Tower’s sustainability … making it possible for us to support future generations for decades to come.”

Jewish HomeLife’s president and CEO, Jeffrey A. Gopen, says that “Jewish HomeLife is committed to fulfilling our mission of caring for older adults regardless of their ability to pay. This renovation, the first in over 40 years, will ensure The Tower’s sustainability for seniors who want to age in place, making it possible for us to support future generations for decades to come.”

Prior to 2019, when the Jewish Tower became part of Jewish HomeLife, the building was owned and managed independently, offering affordable housing to older adults with low to moderate incomes. With so many seniors outliving their retirement savings, having a high-quality, affordable option can provide peace of mind to older adults and their families.

To qualify for residency, applicants must be at least 62 years old and meet HUD’s income limits, which vary by community. To qualify for the Zaban Tower, income must not exceed $33,750 per year. At the Jewish Tower, residents applying for a HUD subsidy must not exceed $54,000 per year in income.

Rent at the Tower is subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “HUD determines who qualifies and for how much of a subsidy,” says Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Shari Bayer.

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Shari Bayer explained the qualifying process: “HUD determines who qualifies and for how much of a subsidy. The application is all HUD required documents. Once it is determined that the prospective resident has all the documents completed and additional documentation attached, the Tower’s staff enters their information into a HUD database to submit for verification.”

The Tower is a high-rise that shares the same campus as The William Breman Jewish Home. The two communities, referred to as The Towers, share common staff and joint activities, providing social opportunities for the residents who live in both communities.

Residents can access discounted home care services through Eckstein Home Care and primary care services through the primary care clinic in the Zaban Tower lobby. Stephen Berman, former chair of Jewish HomeLife and former Jewish Tower Board chair, explains why this a perfect choice to age in place.

“Our founders had the foresight to locate on a campus where residents could get additional support if ever needed. Our proximity to The William Breman Jewish Home makes it a perfect option to age in place.”