The following came from RUPCO this week: Less than 13 months after ground-breaking on construction, Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) will begin accepting applications for residence at the Woodstock Commons intergenerational campus behind Bradley Meadows, with its entrance on Playhouse Lane, this week. Occupancy of the 53 new affordable homes is expected to begin on January 1, 2013 and applications for those who would wish to live there will be accepted during a 45 day window between August 15 and September 30. Following eight years of planning, construction of the complex has been smooth and having reached the 75% completion mark on schedule, RUPCO is now implementing its marketing plan.
“We are very pleased to announce this opportunity for folks to apply to live at Woodstock Commons,” said RUPCO CEO Kevin O’Connor. “The construction work has been remarkable and the excellent design of these homes is becoming tangible.”
Woodstock Commons will become home to seniors (age 55 and older), families and artists with incomes up to 60% of the area median income level — $44,340 or below for family of four; $35,520 or less for a two-person household. Median income in Ulster County is $73,900. The property features apartments with one-, two- and three-bedrooms with family size and special needs determining the size of apartment for each renter. Rents will start at a low of $350 a month for 10 of the senior units and as low as $890 for a family, depending on household income. Twelve of the homes will have preferences for artists.
Pets will be allowed, though there are limitations as to numbers, types and sizes of acceptable pets. A pet security deposit will be required of all non-disabled residents. Woodstock Commons will be a smoke-free environment and a no-smoking policy will be outlined in each lease.
All applications received in the 45 day application period will be placed in a lottery to determine the order in which the applications will be reviewed and screened for eligibility. There is no advantage to submitting an application early in the application period but it is important to submit the application on or before September 30. Applications will be available in person at RUPCO’s offices at 289 Fair Street, Kingston and at RUPCO’s temporary office located in the Woodstock Branch of Ulster Savings Bank at 62 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock. Applications will also be available for download at www.rupco.org or an application can be mailed to you by calling 845-331-2140. Applications will be accepted in person at either office, via mail to 289 Fair St., Kingston, NY 12401 or by fax to 845-853-7550.
Once the initial occupants are chosen, those who are eligible but not chosen will go on a waiting list. Future applications received after the 45 day rent-up period will then be added to the waiting list as they are received.
Artist review committee
RUPCO has established a marketing committee that includes Woodstock residents to help guarantee that those least likely to apply know of the opportunity and can access applications. Further, RUPCO is establishing an artist review committee to help with the process of qualifying 12 artists from diverse artistic and cultural backgrounds who will live at Woodstock Commons. The definition of artist is broad and applicants for both the senior and family housing components will be eligible to receive the artist preference. In considering the preference, an artist’s work need not be the primary source of income as it is often customary for artists to work in another field to support themselves and their art form. Only one member of a household needs to demonstrate a commitment as a practicing artist in order to qualify for the artist preference. The artist review committee will interview each applicant to ascertain the artist’s commitment to the arts and their interest in living at Woodstock Commons. Applicants will be given the opportunity to answer questions, show their portfolios or examples of their work and to ask questions. To meet the threshold as an artist, applicants must demonstrate that they are actively engaged in their art form. Quality of artwork is not a topic for consideration.
“We are committed to having a presence in Woodstock during the application process,” said RUPCO’s Director of Property Management, Theresa Walsh. “We will even have some late day and weekend hours when we are available to accept applications or show the property.”
For more information on the Woodstock Commons project including site maps and floor plans, or on RUPCO’s other activities and programs, www.rupco.org is the best source.
Join the family! 
