Guardian Court Apartments becomes first Kentucky affordable housing project for national developer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Vitus, a national developer and owner of affordable housing, announced the preservation and planned renovation of Guardian Court Apartments, apartments for low-income residents in Louisville, Kentucky. The 128 unit apartment complex, located approximately seven miles southeast of downtown Louisville, is the first housing community Vitus will manage in Kentucky, making it the 22nd state in which Vitus manages communities.
“This is our first project in Kentucky, and we’re looking forward to contributing smart, affordable housing to the city of Louisville,” said Stephen Whyte, Managing Director for Vitus. “Vitus aims to serve as a catalyst for community revitalization, and we take pride in strengthening neighborhoods and providing housing that families and individuals are excited to call home. Guardian Court Apartments residents will see significant physical improvements and amenities that improve health and wellness.”
In addition to preserving and improving the quality of the existing affordable housing, Vitus develops wellness-centered communities that provide residents more opportunities to make healthy choices. Vitus will install “active design” amenities at Guardian Court, including new landscaping, bike racks, an updated playground structure, covered outdoor gathering spaces and updated exterior lighting. The site will also be fit with a new flood control system to prevent water from accumulating onsite.
Apartments interiors will also be updated with new finishes and kitchen appliances, including refrigerators and natural gas kitchen ranges, low flow faucets and updated cabinetry. Eight units will also be refit for ADA accessibility.
As one of the first affordable housing developers to commit to the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), Vitus works to build healthier communities across the country by incorporating active design elements into at least 80 percent of its projects. PHA, founded in conjunction with former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! program, works with the private sector to make the healthier choice the easy choice.
Improvement projects will start at Guardian Court in September 2017 and are expected to be completed by September 2018.