Alex Beaver

Best Affordable Housing in Lafayette, Louisiana

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Conveniently located just off Interstate-10, the Bayberry Point apartment complex offers clean, affordable housing for individuals and families in Lafayette, Louisiana. With its modern amenities, central location and affordable, single-family homes, this sprawling property offers the best that Lafayette has to offer.

About Bayberry Point

Bayberry Point actually consists of four properties — Bayberry Point I, II, III and IV — located on Jessica Street in north Lafayette. Rather than offering apartment homes like other affordable housing complexes, Bayberry Point is actually a subdivision offering 3- and 4-bedroom single-family homes in a variety of floor plans ranging between 1600 and 2000 square feet. These homes are equipped with central heat and air, washer/dryer, refrigerator, range, dishwasher and mini-blinds, and each has its own driveway and covered carport. Community amenities include an outdoor pavilion and picnic area with grills, as well as a clubhouse, community room, and fitness center. The complex is located near the junction of I-10, I-49 and the Evangeline Thruway, one of the busiest commercial areas of Lafayette, with plenty of shopping and dining options close by, as well as Wetlands Golf Course and Moore Park to the north.

About Lafayette, Louisiana

Located along the Vermilion River about 90 minutes west of Baton Rouge, Lafayette is the fourth largest city in Louisiana, home to approximately 128,000 people. Originally settled as Vermilionville in 1821 by people of Acadian (Cajun) descent, in 1884 the city was renamed Lafayette after the famous French general who assisted the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The area was primarily agricultural until the 1940s when oil was discovered in the Lafayette Parish, at which point oil and gas became the dominant industries. Today, Lafayette is considered the heart of Creole culture and a hub for Cajun/zydeco music, recently named “The Happiest School in the World” by MarketWatch.

Bayberry Point is an income-restricted community offering affordable housing to qualifying individuals and families. Olympia Management would love to give you a tour of this wonderful property and introduce you to your new home. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 256-894-2382.

Just Moved In? What to Do in Your First 24 Hours

Posted on by Alex Beaver

You’ve just arrived at your new home. The furniture and boxes are unloaded, the rental truck has been returned, you’ve officially moved in. You’re home. What now? Your belongings are all around you, but everything is in disarray — boxes and furniture everywhere. Where is your toothbrush? Your pajamas? Your bed? The biggest question is — what do you do first? It can be overwhelming, to say the least.

Here’s a hint: multitasking is a myth. The key to making it through the first 24 hours without becoming a nervous wreck is just to do one thing at a time. Following the checklist below in order will help you navigate your first full day in your new home.

Set Up the Beds

You’re not going to sort through all your boxes in one day, and probably not even the first week. You will, however, need somewhere to sleep when you get tired — so make bedrooms the first priority. Even if you just manage to set up your beds and put sheets and blankets on them, you and your family will have a place to crash when you run out of energy. (And you will.)

Put Furniture and Boxes in Their Correct Rooms

Once you’ve gotten some nourishment and you’re ready to start tackling the mess, your next step is to go through and make sure furniture and moving boxes are placed in the rooms where they are supposed to be. (Hopefully, you’ve taken time before to label the boxes.) Taking this extra small step will help you conserve energy while unpacking because there will be less hunting through the house for that one thing you’re missing. You’ll also save yourself a lot of stress.

Start Unpacking in Order of Necessity

Try to prioritize your unpacking according to the stuff you need first. For example, you’ll probably need bathroom towels, toiletries, and clothes before you need to set up your chess set or start hanging photos. It’s okay to put things away as you find them, as long as there’s a place for them. Just try to avoid getting distracted and going down rabbit trails. An additional hint: Save noisemaking activities like hammering and vacuuming for daytime hours, especially if you move into an apartment. Your new neighbors will appreciate it!

Order a Meal (or Eat Out)

It’s going to take some time to set up your kitchen, let alone a place to eat. Before going to the grocery store (which is further down on the list), give yourself and your family a break with the first meal. Order a pizza — or better yet, find a nearby restaurant, sit down and breathe over a meal. You can buy groceries and start on the kitchen tomorrow.

If you’re moving into one of our properties across the southeastern U.S., Olympia Management wants to make your move-in experience as stress-free as possible. For questions about available properties, give us a call at 256-894-2382.

5 Myths About Affordable Housing

Posted on by Alex Beaver

For many people, “affordable housing” is a loaded term that evokes stereotypical images of undesirable living situations in unsafe neighborhoods. The reality is often quite different. Affordable housing has less to do with where or how the homes are built, and more to do with the various subsidies used to make them affordable to lower-income families. If you’re curious about investing in affordable housing, let’s dispel five affordable housing myths.

1. All affordable housing is Section 8/public housing.

Section 8 isn’t a type of housing; it’s a program that helps subsidize housing costs for low-income individuals and families. Public housing is typically Section 8, but many privately-owned properties also qualify for Section 8 — including some that might surprise you. In addition, Section 8 is only one type of program that helps make housing affordable. There are many other types of developments that rely on income tax credits and other incentives to create affordable housing for people who meet their income qualifications.

2. Affordable housing is sub-par and poorly maintained.

Affordable housing developments must follow the same building codes as housing for sale or rent at market value. In fact, the government often imposes additional standards and restrictions on housing developments seeking to qualify for subsidies. As for maintenance, that factor depends on the landlord or the management company and has nothing to do with the cost of rent. Find a good management company, and you’ll find affordable housing that is clean, energy efficient and safe.

3. Affordable housing exists only in “poor” parts of town.

Affordable housing developments can exist anywhere, and usually do. The properties we manage are often located in or near the busiest commercial areas in town.

4. Affordable housing increases crime.

Many people associate affordable housing with unsafe neighborhoods and high crime, assuming that these complexes actually create favorable conditions for crime. The reality is that there is no correlation between the cost of housing and the crime rate in any community. In fact, affordable housing actually reduces transiency and helps make families more stable, potentially reducing crime.

5. Affordable housing causes lower school performance.

Some families are concerned that living in affordable housing will force them to place their kids into underperforming schools. The reality is that lowered school performance is caused by un-affordable housing. When families have to keep changing school districts to flee higher rents, their children don’t get the chance to settle and they perform worse on standardized tests. Affordable housing actually helps solve this problem and improves school performance.

Olympia Management specializes in affordable housing solutions for individuals and families across the Southeast. To learn more about our properties and availability, give us a call at 256-894-2382.

How to Find Affordable Housing

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Rental rates are on the rise nationwide, and while rental properties in the Southeast tend to be cheaper than the national average, many individuals and families still have trouble affording the rising rents. If you are struggling to find affordable housing for yourself or your family, the following guide should help point you in the right direction.

Determine Your Needs and Budget

Any search for housing starts with knowing two important things: what you need in a living space, and what you can afford to pay. Start by asking yourself the following basic questions:

  • How much space do I need? In other words, how many bedrooms/bathrooms? How much square footage? What are your storage needs?
  • What kind of amenities do I need or want? Do you need a washer/dryer in the unit, or will community laundry suffice? Do you need central heat/air? Is a clubhouse or fitness center important to you? Do you want to live in a newly constructed complex? Do you have a disability that requires accessibility features?
  • What kind of location do I need? Is there a particular neighborhood you’re looking for? Do you need to be close to work, dining or shopping? Do you need access to public transportation?
  • How much can I reasonably afford in rent? Typically, your rent should be no more than 1/3 of your household’s total monthly income.

Lease agreement document with calculator

Qualifying For Assistance

Federal and state government agencies offer a number of programs to help low-income individuals and families afford their rent. Some rental properties designate some or all of their units as income-based or income-restricted, receiving government subsidies to cover the portion of the rent that you may not be able to afford. If you are a veteran, there may be additional programs available to you. To see if you qualify to receive assistance, the best starting point is to check with your local housing authority. (Check the HUD website to find contact information for local agencies.) For more information on how to qualify for assistance, click here.

Once you have qualified, your local agency should be able to direct you to rental properties in your area that participate in these subsidized programs.

Search for Housing and Resources in Your Area

If you have Internet access, one of the easiest ways to find affordable housing is to do a simple Google search to find available resources in your area. For example, if you’re looking for a place to live in Alabama, you can type in “Affordable housing in Alabama,” or even be more specific: “Affordable housing in Jackson, Alabama.” Many apartment communities and rent management companies now have an online presence. Once you find a property you’re interested in, you can look at floor plans, rental rates, and qualifying programs before visiting them in person to see if they have what you’re looking for.

Olympia Management oversees many high-quality affordable housing properties throughout the Southeast. If one of them suits your needs, we’re happy to talk with you about your options. For more information, call us today at 256-894-2382.

Finding Affordable Housing in Waynesboro, Georgia

Posted on by Alex Beaver

For individuals and families in need of affordable housing in Waynesboro, Georgia, the newly constructed Pine Trails community welcomes you home. Set in a quiet, serene setting just a half mile from the center of town, this inviting complex offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and affordability to its residents.

About Pine Trails

Constructed on 18-plus acres among the pines, Pine Trails offers 60 brand-new apartments built for energy efficiency and low maintenance. Each unit is equipped with Energy Star appliances (range, dishwasher, refrigerator with ice maker), along with mini-blinds and a washer/dryer connection. Each apartment also opens to a private patio/balcony area with additional outside storage. The complex itself offers such amenities as a community clubhouse with kitchen, laundry facilities, outdoor gazebo with BBQ grills, playground and an activity center with planned events throughout the year. A convenient bus stop on the premises provides easy access to public transportation. Pine Trails is conveniently located along the main east-west artery moments from the center of town. A variety of shops, restaurants, medical services, houses of worship and grocery stores are all located within a mile of the community.

About Waynesboro

Located about 30 miles south of Augusta, Georgia, the town of Waynesboro is home to about 5800 people, bearing the nickname “Bird Dog Capital of the World.” First settled shortly after the Revolutionary War, the town was the site of a noted Civil War battle as Confederate troops resisted General Sherman’s March to the Sea. Officially incorporated in 1883, Waynesboro’s downtown district is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Waynesboro is seeing a fresh wave of development with plenty of job potential for working families. Along with attractions such as the Burke County Museum and the Confederate Memorial Cemetery, residents enjoy outdoor activities at local parks and along the four-mile Greenway Trail which connects to multiple neighborhoods and the downtown area.

Pine Trails is an income-restricted community designed to provide affordable housing to qualifying individuals and families. We invite you to take a tour of this wonderful new community and find your new home here. To schedule an appointment, call Olympia Property Management today at 256-894-2382.

Happy New Year from the Olympia Family!

Posted on by Alex Beaver

As we head into the new year, we’d like to leave 2018 behind and greet 2019 with some profound quotes to ponder.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.

Benjamin Franklin

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.

Brad Paisley

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep. Walk tall and smile more. You will look 10 years younger. Do not be afraid to say, I love you. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Ann Landers

Let each new year find you a better person.

Benjamin Franklin

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

Henry Ford

Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.

Henry David Thoreau

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Jackson Brown, Jr.

Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

A cat’s New Year dream is mostly a bird! Don’t be like a cat; in New Year Dream something that you have never dreamed! Target for new things.

Mehmet Murat Ildan

For a new year to bring you something new, make a move, like a butterfly tearing its cocoon! Make a move!

Mehmet Murat Ildan

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

Nelson Mandela

Another fresh new year is here. Another year to live! To Banish worry, doubt and fear, to love and give

William Arthur Ward

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Neil Gaiman

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.

Charles Lamb

For Last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

T.S. Eliot

If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am.

Cyril Cusack

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Eleanor Roosevelt

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Bill Vaughan

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time.

Ann Landers

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Neil Gaiman

Happy New Year from the Olympia Family.

Merry Christmas from the Olympia Family to Yours

Posted on by Alex Beaver

The Olympia Family of Olympia Construction and Olympia Management have been busy this month celebrating the Christmas holiday.

Festivities began with the staff enjoying a wonderful luncheon with our good friends at the Randy Jones and Associates Insurance Agency of Albertville at the Glover in Guntersville, Alabama. Wonderful food and fellowship were had by all with Randy leading everyone in a round of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. The lunch was wonderfully prepared by Beatrice Glover, Owner of The Glover, the Chef and the staff. The desserts were delectable!

All of the Olympia Family thanks Randy Jones and Associates for a wonderful luncheon and gifts.

Many of the Olympia family and their families enjoyed participating in the Albertville Christmas Parade. The signs for the float were created by our own, very artistic, Samantha Stover.

The entire Olympia Family enjoyed a festive buffet of down-home cookin’ for our Christmas luncheon. With so many good cooks contributing to the wonderful buffet of green bean, macaroni and cheese, and hash brown casseroles, along with cornbread dressing, fruit salads, and with so many desserts of chocolate magnitude, pecan and pumpkin pies, cakes, and cookies, and more, many will be hitting the gym first thing in January!

From our Family to yours

Rosa Washington

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Rosa WashingtonOne of Olympia Management, Inc.’s employees, Rosa Washington, the Property Manager at Alex Place and Lake Ridge Apartments, will be retiring at the end of the year. Rosa began with her properties in 1999 and transitioned with them to OMI at our startup in 2014. Rosa handles the two properties with expert and loving care and considers the complexes part of her family. “I think Alex Place and Lake Ridge are special because they are not just complexes; I consider them to be an extension of my family,” said Rosa. “My motto is we are our brother’s keeper and for the most part we try to look out for each other, especially our children. I have found that if you just give a child a few encouraging words, that can make a world of difference in the way they see themselves.” After noticing that many of the school-aged children of Alex Place lacked constructive after-school activities, Rosa spearheaded the creation of the Homework Club. One resident does a majority of the tutoring, and Rosa ensures the students have snacks and supplies. “I found there was a need for the children, as well as adults, to have access to a computer to complete homework assignments.”

Alex Place Apartments signOne of the biggest events she has organized at Alex Place is the Safety/Fun Day. The Fire, the Sheriff’s, and Police Departments come out to celebrate with the residents. The children can play on the fire truck and ambulance and the lights and with the sirens of the police vehicles.

Those who work with her closely at OMI have great things to say about Rosa.

“Rosa has been a great community person and cares about the youth and their education. I am very impressed with her involvement with the children, or as she would say ‘My Babies.'”

Eddie Williams, Regional Property Manager

“Rosa has been one of my most valued assets out in the field. She always has been very reliable and trustworthy. She has always gone above and beyond her regular duties to help out her residents in any way possible. I will truly miss Rosa and her ability to get the job done and with efficiency. She’s been there over the years for kids coming home from school, that she even started a Homework Club for them. I’m sure most of the parents really appreciated that and will also miss her.”

Becky Lang, Head Division Manager.

Rosa leaves a legacy of love, caring, and leadership for her tenants. Olympia Management, Inc., is proud to have had Rosa Washington as part of our family and wish her well in her future endeavors.

Best Affordable Housing in Thomaston, Georgia

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Situated just five minutes from downtown Thomaston, Georgia, Ruthie Manor Apartments welcomes individuals and families with a selection of affordable apartments, attractive grounds, and amenities. Conveniently in driving distance to the attractions of Atlanta, yet located in one of America’s Top 100 small towns, Ruthie Manor offers the perfect blend of rural and urban conveniences.

About the Complex

Ruthie Manor offers six different floor plans for individuals and families, consisting of one, two or three bedrooms. Each unit is equipped with central heating and air, along with range, refrigerator, dishwasher and washer/dryer connections. Each apartment also comes pre-wired for cable. The complex itself features an abundance of convenient amenities, including a community clubhouse, laundry facilities, fitness room, computer center, an outdoor pavilion for family gatherings and a playground for the kids. Plenty of shops and restaurants are located just a few minutes west along Center Street and Church Street, the two parallel thoroughfares running north and south through town.

About Thomaston, Georgia

Home to just under 10,000 people, Thomaston, Georgia is considered by many to be the epitome of “small town America.” First established in 1825 as the county seat of Upson County, Thomaston’s current courthouse was built in 1908 and sits as the official center of town, designated a national landmark. Building its economy on the textile industry, Thomaston today still relies heavily on manufacturing jobs, with education, healthcare, and retail also forming pillars of the economy. Residents visitors enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities in nearby parks and outdoor spaces, including golf, hiking, biking, skydiving, fishing, and canoeing — along with plenty of shops and restaurants along the downtown main streets. The Atlanta metro area lies just 75 miles to the north of town, offering even more shopping, dining and activities.

Ruthie Manor is an income-restricted community providing comfortable housing to qualifying low-income individuals and families. If you are looking for affordable housing in one of Georgia’s finest small towns, we would love to show you around your new home. To schedule an appointment and take a tour, call Olympia Property Management today at 256-894-2382.

Income Eligibility Guidelines for Affordable Housing

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Despite the skyrocketing rental rates across the country, there are a number of excellent government-backed programs in place to provide affordable housing for individuals and families with low incomes. Determining whether you are eligible to receive these benefits, however, can be confusing. A lot of factors come into play, including:

  • How much money you make;
  • How many people are in your household
  • The area median income (AMI) in your area, and how your household income compares to it;
  • The availability of housing in your area; and
  • The availability of subsidies compared to how many people need them.

Because every city and region in the country is different economically and has different circumstances, the local housing authority has to set criteria and make decisions regarding who is eligible for affordable housing in their area. However, the following income eligibility guidelines should help you get a better idea as to whether you qualify for affordable housing — wherever you happen to live.

Understanding “Affordable” Housing

Let’s start with a basic understanding of what classifies as affordable housing. The benchmark the government uses to define affordable is that your monthly rent should not exceed 30 percent of your monthly household income. Obviously, for many people, the average rent takes up much more than 30 percent of their income, making it difficult or impossible to meet rent. Thus, for low-income households who qualify, the goal is to match the rent to the income so monthly housing costs stay around 30 percent.

There are several ways the government works to meet this benchmark for low-income families, including the following:

  • Section 8 public housing: Housing that is run by the government and rented to low-income tenants at rates they can afford.
  • Section 8 vouchers: Government subsidies that follow the tenant, allowing you more living options. The subsidy is paid to the landlord to offset the cost of rent.
  • Government-subsidized housing: Subsidies and/or credits paid to developers and landlords who designate some or all of their units as affordable or low-income units. (e.g., the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program).

What Are the Income Eligibility Requirements?

In every part of the country, the benchmark for determining what classifies as “low income” is based on the area median income (AMI) for that area — the middle amount of what people earn in that city, metropolitan area or region. Generally speaking, individuals and families who make 80 percent or less than the AMI are considered “low income;” those who make 50 percent or less are “very low income;” and those making 30 percent or less are “extremely low income.” The actual numbers behind these percentages can vary widely depending on where you live. (In New York, for example, a family of four can make over $68,000 a year and still be considered low income.) The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a searchable portal where you can check specific income limits and median incomes for your area.

Available Programs and Eligibility

Once you know where you stand on the income spectrum for your area, you can check with your local housing authority to see which programs are available in your area and for which you might qualify. Again, availability differs by region based on what subsidies and properties are available versus how many people need assistance. (Very low and extremely low-income households often get top priority.) In many areas, you may qualify for affordable housing with an income of 50-60 percent of AMI. In some cities where the cost of living is higher, you may make as much as 80 percent of AMI and still be eligible. The best way to know for sure is to check with your local housing authority. Click here for a searchable map to find the housing authority for your area.

Olympia Property Management offers clean, affordable housing for eligible individuals and families in cities and towns across the south and southeast. For more information, call us today at 256-894-2382.

Olympia Gardens: Affordable Housing in Huntsville

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Located along Meridian Street North in Huntsville, Alabama, Olympia Gardens sits in view of the scenic forests and hills of the surrounding plateaus, offering a variety of comfortable, affordable apartments and convenient amenities just minutes from downtown. For low-income families in the Huntsville area, Olympia Gardens welcomes you home.

About the Complex

Olympia Gardens offers five spacious floor plan options for residents, available with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Each unit is equipped with full kitchen appliances, including dishwasher, disposal, range/oven and a refrigerator with an ice maker, as well as central heat and air. Additional amenities on the grounds include a community clubhouse, laundry facilities, a swimming pool, a playground for the kids and a covered gazebo for gathering with family and friends. Convenient shopping and dining options are available just a few minutes to the south.

About Huntsville, Alabama

Established in the early 1800s, Huntsville was Alabama’s first incorporated city. Originally a farm community, the town remained relatively small until it experienced a boom in the 1940s as the site of a WWII munitions facility. Not long after, thanks to NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville gained recognition for building the Saturn V, the rocket that sent the Apollo astronauts to the moon, earning it the nickname “Rocket City.”

Today, Huntsville is Alabama’s third largest city boasting a population of just over 180,000 and a surrounding metro population of nearly half a million people. Residents enjoy plenty of shopping, dining, and attractions, as well as outdoor activities amid the gorgeous mountain scenery of Monte Sano State Park and other outdoor destinations.

Olympia Gardens is an income-restricted community designed to provide affordable housing and the amenities of home to qualifying low-income individuals and families. If you need an affordable home in the Huntsville, Alabama area, we’d love to show you around. To check availability and schedule an appointment, call Olympia Property Management today at 256-894-2382.

Piece of Cloth – Veteran’s Day 2018

Posted on by Alex Beaver

Olympia Management, Inc., supports our Veterans and the brave men and women serving our country. We thank you. Please enjoy this video.

“This song is Dedicated to all Veterans. Without their sacrifice, we would not be able to express our feelings in music.”

John Geer

Piece of Cloth by John Geer and Jeff Chapman

https://www.facebook.com/jeff.chapman.372/videos/10215564291233772/

Copyright 2018 John Geer and Jeff Chapman (All Rights Reserved)