Sarum Village, other options in town, make life cozy, affordable

SALISBURY — While the recent report of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee identifies the need for much more affordable housing in town, organizations have been working on the problem for years.

The Salisbury Housing Trust (SHT) has created eight single-family homes — five new and three rebuilt — and is just about ready to make two more units available on Indian Cave Road, for a total of 10.

In this arrangement, the housing trust retains ownership of the underlying land through a ground lease, and the buyer pays only for the dwelling. The trust concentrates on building (or renovating) single-family, two- and three-bedroom homes, priced to sell below the current median home sales price.

Trust members uses the common definition of affordable: all expenses such as mortgage payments, taxes and insurance (not including utilities) should not exceed 30 percent of the buyer’s income.

Those eligible to apply include lower- and moderate-income families who live, work and/or volunteer in the community and whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the average town income for a family of four.

While the housing trust builds houses, the Salisbury Housing Committee’s specialty is affordable rentals, with properties in Sarum Village (off Cobble Road) and Faith House on Fowler Street.

Sarum Village has 16 units, eight each of one- and two-bedroom apartments. There are plans to add six units.

Faith House has eight one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units. Rents at Sarum Village are $693 per month for a one-bedroom and $808 for a two-bedroom. Tenants pay for electricity.

The application process includes income verification, a credit check, personal references and a background check.

Roberta Stevens has lived at Sarum Village for about six years. She described her apartment as “very cozy, peaceful,� and added she enjoys watching the wildlife walk by in the field: deer, woodchucks, rabbits — and the occasional bear.

Stevens, 71, is a retired pediatric nurse who has lived most of her life in town. After raising a family and enduring a car accident and other medical problems that left her unable to work, she could not afford to rent housing in Salisbury, and could just barely manage the somewhat cheaper rentals available in Millerton at the time.

“It was a bad situation,� she said.

A friend told her about Sarum Village and she moved in about six years ago. For Stevens, Sarum Village is a godsend.

She described the little community as “close-knit.�

“People look out for each other, and watch each other’s apartments if they are away.�

She praised the management. “They treat you well, respect you. They can’t do enough for you� in terms of maintenance.

“Nothing gets put on the back burner.�

And of the other residents she said, “I have to express that we’re not feeling like the underdog here.�

Stevens has a modest one-bedroom apartment she shares with her cats, Mittens and Holly. With a grown son and daughter in the area, she is able to live independently while still being near her family.

“I wouldn’t trade this little place for anything. I’d be devastated if I had to move.�

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