FISHER, IN – Order of AHEPA Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos recently visited the headquarters of the AHEPA National Housing Corporation (AHNC) and AHEPA Management Company (AMC) in Fisher, IN. It was the first visit by Frangos to the complex which houses 21 employees of the AHNC and AMC. Frangos said, “I was greatly impressed by the range of professional expertise and skills possessed by this outstanding staff. It is apparent why the AHEPA senior housing program is so resoundingly successful. Indeed, I am dismayed that so many of our fellow Hellenic brothers and sisters are still unaware of the program and the difference it is making in the lives of low income senior citizens.”

The AHNC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1983 as a result of the success of the very first low income multi-family senior housing complex created by AHEPA Chapter 53 in St. Louis, Missouri. The mission of AHNC has always been to provide affordable housing for the low income elderly and disabled, and to insure that they receive services to meet their physical and social needs. AHNC’s wholly owned subsidiary, AHEPA Management Company, provides onsite property management, maintenance, and supportive services to the highest professional standards.

AHNC assists AHEPA chapters throughout the country in obtaining funding to construct apartments for low income elderly in their own community. The housing organization guides the construction and development of the property and provides continuing support to the local chapters. To date, AHNC has assisted AHEPA chapters in creating 92 apartment complexes in 22 states. They provide quality homes for over 5,000 seniors over the age of 62 who meet HUD income requirements. Visits to the communities are encouraged. A full list of properties may be found at www.ahepahousing.org.

The apartment buildings offer unfurnished one-bedroom units with a living room and a kitchen with a full-sized range and refrigerator and plenty of kitchen storage. A typical community offers landscaped grounds, often with walking trails, and typically has a community room, a fitness center, a library, a computer room, and also offers in-house laundry facilities. Educational and wellness programs, as well as referrals and advocacy for senior-related services are offered by AMC’s supportive service personnel.

Frangos observed, “On my travels as Supreme President, I have visited AHEPA apartment complexes in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri and California. The apartments are well maintained and are an appealing place for seniors to enjoy independent living and interesting neighbors. There exists a true sense of community.”

The AHEPA housing program is continually investigating new opportunities from interested AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope chapters for new apartment communities. Until recently, the funding for these complexes was obtained through the HUD Section 202 subsidized elderly housing program. Because of budgetary factors, HUD has for the time being discontinued the 202 program. This has encouraged AHNC to become creative and find funding for new projects and for renovations through low income housing tax credits and other federal and state funding programs. AMC has also grown, and provides industry-respected Quality Assurance services to other supportive services team. It now also contracts with third party senior housing owners to provide onsite professional management services.

Supreme President Frangos concluded, “I am personally proud of the AHEPA housing program and its leadership in low income senior housing development. I hope that this ‘best kept secret’ will finally get the recognition it deserves within our Hellenic communities and beyond.”