When construction crews first arrived at Heritage Court, Rosie was spending most of her days at the nursing home visiting her husband, Jim.  About two weeks into the project, in the midst of packing up her apartment, Jim passed away, and Rosie’s life turned upside down. Everyone — from the foreman of the construction crew, to the Housing Trust’s executive director — sprang into action to help Rosie through the transition.  

 

“It felt like everything crashed in on top of me at once.  I had to deal with the funeral and everything that was going on around me, and that first weekend in the temporary apartment, if anything could go wrong it went wrong.  It was unreal.  But it all got straightened out.  I usually take things in stride, but this was a really challenging time for me.

 

“When I finally saw my new apartment, all I could say is ‘Wow.’  I had quite a bit of help moving back in.  The fellas helped me with whatever I needed to get situated.  And Pam was a godsend – real moral support.

 

“Everything is lovely, and brand new.  There’s more cabinet space, more counter space.  What I like best is that I’m close to town, and close to my kids.  It’s compact and I know all my neighbors and feel very safe knowing there are people on either side of me.  I just feel very comfortable here, very comfortable.

 

“I like to swim, and we’re close to Lake St. Catherine.  As a senior citizen I have a lifetime free pass, so it doesn’t cost anything.

 

“I like when the Housing Trust staff comes over and we have special gatherings, like when we had our pizza party.  I enjoy seeing everybody.

 

“I think that the way things are today, there is a need for more housing for seniors and low income families.  The work of the Housing Trust, it’s good for the community.  I think it’s very good.”