By Staff
Kim West
Franklin County Times
The Stonecrest rental office in Russellville is a hub of activity.
Residents of the income-based Stonecrest and Charles Place apartments stream in and out of the office with requests,while prospective tenants continuously call with questions about the application process to rent apartments.
Dinah Palmer, resident manager, points out the difference between income-based apartments.
"We're in a partnership with the government to provide affordable housing to multi-families, which can range from one person to several people," Palmer said. "But we're different from the Housing Authority, which is a separate government agency that bases rent on the resident's income – we base our rent on the size of the apartment and a range of incomes a resident has to fit in."
Palmer said all residents must undergo a background and credit check, be 19 or older if unmarried and meet the income criteria required by the government.
Stonecrest Apartments, a 48-unit, two-story complex located behind the Russellville Wal-Mart Center, opened in 2005, and each unit is outfitted with electric appliances, including a dishwasher; central air and heating; and a ceiling fan, among other features.
Charles Place is also a 48-unit complex, which is located behind Pizza Hut on U.S. 43 in Russellville,. It opened early last month and comes with two large playgrounds, a walking track and tennis courts for its residents, along with the same indoor amenities as Stonecrest, plus one additional ceiling fan per unit.
Palmer said that both complexes are full, but she maintains an active waiting list for apartment applicants.
"The wait depends on availability and how specific you are – everyone wants the one-bedroom apartment on the bottom floor but those the ones people tend to keep for a long time," Palmer said.
The Stonecrest Apartments and Charles Place Apartments rental office is located at 29 Hazel Drive in Russellville. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekend hours are available by appointment For more information, call 331-0301.