Little Deschutes Lodge

La Pine, Oregon

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

The Apartments

Are the apartments furnished?

No, the apartments are not furnished.

 

How big are the apartments and how many bedrooms do they have?

The building has 22 one-bedroom units and 4 two-bedroom units.  The floor plans are similar in size to typical market rate one- and two-bedroom apartments.  The one-bedroom units measure approximately 700 square feet.  The two bedroom units measure approximately 900 square feet.

 

Do the apartments have decks or balconies?  How big are they?

Yes.  All of the first floor apartments have patios and all of the second floor apartments have balconies.  The balconies and patios measure approximately 4 feet by 10 feet (totaling about 40 square feet).  

 

Do the apartments have extra storage?

Most of the apartments have extra storage located off the balconies or in storage rooms located on the first and second floors.

 

Are the utilities gas or electric?

Electric.

 

Are utilities included in rent?

Little Deschutes Lodge pays for all utilities, including electric, hot & cold water, garbage and sewer charges.  Residents will be responsible for cable, phone and internet charges. 

 

What appliances are included?

All apartments come equipped with the standard kitchen appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers.  Microwaves are not provided.  The building has one laundry room located on each of the floors.  Each laundry room  has two standard size, coin-operated washers and two dryers which are available to all residents.

 

Are there washers and dryers in the apartments?

No.  However, the building has one laundry room located on each floor with standard size, coin-operated washers and dryers available to all residents.

 

Are the apartments air conditioned?

Each apartment comes equipped with a heating/cooling unit that serves to both heat and cool the unit as needed.

 

Will cable television be available?

Cable access is available in each apartment.  Residents pay for cable access, but are charged at a reduced rate.

 

Will the apartments have internet access?

Internet access is available in each apartment.  Residents pay for internet access, but are charged at a reduced rate.  In addition, the building has a computer center with free internet access available to all building residents.

 

Does the building have wheelchair accessible units?

Yes, Little Deschutes Lodge has two apartments that are fully accessible to persons in wheelchairs (one 1-bedroom unit and one 2-bedroom unit).  In addition, there is one 1-bedroom apartment on the first floor which is accessible to persons with hearing and/or sight impairments. 

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The Building/Property 

Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are allowed, provided they weigh no more than 35 pounds.  Residents are restricted to no more than one dog, and no more than two pets total, per apartment.  A $400 refundable pet deposit is required for the first pet and  a $200 refundable pet deposit is required for the second pet for any pet-owning household.  Residents have the option of paying half of the pet deposit upon move-in, and the balance in $25 monthly installments.

 

Is smoking allowed in the building?  Are there smoking areas or smoking units?

Little Deschutes Lodge is a non-smoking facility.  Smoking is prohibited in all common areas and apartments, including balconies and patios.  Smoking is also be prohibited on the Little Deschutes Lodge grounds.

 

Does the building have an elevator?

Yes, there is one centrally-located elevator.

 

What sort of common/recreation areas does the building have?

The main common room is a large, beautiful room on the 1st floor with sizeable windows. This room is used for social events and other events, such as lectures, clinics and meetings.   The building also has a reading room and a computer area.

 

Is Little Deschutes Lodge an assisted living or an independent living facility?

Little Deschutes Lodge is an independent living facility.  However, a variety of services will be available to the residents (see below).

 

What sort of resident services will be available?

Little Deschutes Lodge has established relationships with the Central Oregon Council on Aging and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Central Oregon, two of the region’s primary providers of services to seniors.  These organizations strive to meet the broad range of senior needs, from support services and case management to light housekeeping and transportation.  In conjunction with these organizations, Little Deschutes Lodge staff will host social events, lectures and other special events.  We have also established a relationship with the La Pine Senior Center and will be working closely with the Senior Center Board and staff to develop mutually beneficial programs, services and activities.  In addition, we are working on coordinating with other agencies and local businesses to bring a variety of activities and services to our residents, including educational opportunities, fitness activities, clinics and workshops.  

 

Will Little Deschutes Lodge have a van or a shuttle for residents? 

No.  However, transportation assistance is available through our resident service providers, the Central Oregon Council on Aging and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers.

 

Is there parking available for the residents?  Is it weather-protected?  Is there a charge?  Are the parking spaces assigned?

Parking is available for residents and guests at no charge.  Parking is assigned.  The parking lot is not weather-protected.

 

Does the building have laundry facilities?

Little Deschutes Lodge has a laundry room on each floor .  Each laundry room has two standard size, coin-operated washers and two dryers which are available for use by all Little Deschutes Lodge residents.

 

Does the building have a computer lab?

Yes, Little Deschutes Lodge has one common computer area with two computers.  All common area computers have free internet access available to all Little Deschutes Lodge residents.

 

Is there controlled access to the building?

The building has controlled access 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year.

 

How will I get my garbage and recycling from my apartment down to the dumpsters?

Able-bodied residents take their own garbage to the dumpsters in the parking lot. There are volunteers that help the not-so-able-bodied residents on a weekly basis. 

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Application and Move-In Process 

How do I get on the waiting list?

Contact Janet Witt by telephone at 541-536-5400 or by email at: littledeschutes@cascade-management.com

 

How are residents selected?  What determines who is selected and who isn’t?

The two primary requirements to live at Little Deschutes Lodge are related to age and income.  At least one member of each household must be 55 years old or older at the time of move-in.  Please click here to review income requirements.  Apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the income and age requirements. 

 

Is there any way I can increase my chances of getting an apartment?

Eligibility for residence at Little Deschutes Lodge is based primarily on income and age.  Apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those who meet the income and age requirements.  The only way to move up on the waiting list is for households higher on the list to be removed from the list  (by moving into the building, by failing to qualify, or by requesting to be removed from the list).

 

How are apartments assigned?  Can I choose which apartment I want?

Residents that go through the application process and qualify for residence at Little Deschutes Lodge have their choice of apartments based on what’s available at the time. 

 

What will my move-in costs be?

Upon move-in, residents are required to pay a security deposit, first month’s rent (prorated for the portion of the month in which the resident is living at Little Deschutes Lodge), and if applicable, a pet deposit.  Please click here for details on move-in costs.

 

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Qualifications

Can I qualify if I have a savings account or other assets?

Yes.  In determining eligibility, we consider annual income and assets.  Please click here for more information on how assets are assessed in terms of eligibility.

 

I am over 55 but my wife it not.  Can we still live at Mountain Laurel Lodge?

Yes.  Only one person in each household must be 55 years old or older at the time of move-in.  However, overall, at least 80% of the residents of Little Deschutes Lodge must be 55 or older.

 

I’m under 55 and disabled.  Do I qualify to live at Little Deschutes Lodge based on my disabled status?

No.  Little Deschutes Lodge is only available to households in which at least one member of the household is 55 years old or older at the time of move-in.  However, overall, at least 80% of the residents at Little Deschutes Lodge must be 55 or older.

 

I am a single person.  Can I qualify to rent a two-bedroom apartment?

Yes.  Through the application process, we will determine your income level and rental rates.  You have the option of selecting either a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom apartment based on availability and your ability to pay the monthly rent for your preferred unit. 

 

Do you have to be a resident of Deschutes County to qualify to live at Little Deschutes Lodge?

No, you do not have to be a resident of Deschutes County to qualify to live at Little Deschutes Lodge. 

 

Do you have to be a citizen of the United States to qualify to live at Little Deschutes Lodge?

No, you do not have to be a United States citizen or a resident of the United States to qualify to live at Little Deschutes Lodge.  However, at the time you apply, you must be able to show that you have authorization to be in the United States for at least the duration of your lease. 

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Income Limits and Rental Rates 

Do you take Section 8 vouchers?

Yes, Section 8 vouchers may be used at Little Deschutes Lodge, pending authorization by Housing Works, our local Housing Authority.  However, Little Deschutes Lodge staff will not administer the voucher program; you will continue to work with your Section 8 representative at Housing Works regarding your participation in the program.

 

How long with the apartments be affordable?  Will they become market rate before I am ready to move out?

Little Deschutes Lodge has committed to remain affordable (i.e., to charge below-market rental rates) for a period of 60 years from the time the building opened (February 2010). 

 

Will the rental rates increase over time?

Our rental rates are determined based on the Median Family Income figures that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development releases every year, and on the maximum rental rates allowed by the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services.  If Median Family Income and the maximum allowable rental rates increase, Little Deschutes Lodge’s rental rates will likely increase as well.  However, we have committed to keeping our rental rates below the maximums allowed by the state for the next 60 years. 

 

Are rental rates based on the income of the household, or are rents set based on the apartment type?

Both.  We have three sets of rental rates based on three different income levels.  We also have different rental rates for one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.  Please click here for more information on rental rates and income limits.

 

Do I have to re-qualify every year?  Will I be required to move out if my income increases and goes over the income limits?

The Internal Revenue Service requires us to re-certify each resident of Little Deschutes Lodge on an annual basis, so you will need to provide income documentation every year to our property management company.  However, you WILL NOT be required to move out if your income goes over the income limits after your first year.

 

How do you determine income?  Do you look at tax forms from the previous year?

In determining eligibility, income for the household is projected into the upcoming year.  In some cases, tax returns from the previous year are the best indicator of future income.  In some cases, the previous year’s income is not a good indicator of future income (e.g., a person has just retired).  In these cases, other forms of documentation will be considered and reviewed.

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