Bessey Commons
About
Bessey Commons is a beautiful apartment community located on Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine.
The historic Bessey School has been transformed and combines both old and new to provide 54 apartments designed specifically for residents aged 55 and over.
Along with a wide variety of recreational activities, Bessey Commons also offers many great attributes that will make normal living seem like a year-round vacation.
Bessey School is owned and developed by Housing Initiatives of New England Corporation, a non-profit corporation committed to providing quality housing for New England seniors.
History
The historic 1927 Elwood G. Bessey School building, which is listed on the National Historic Register, has been transformed into Bessey Commons.
The Bessey School's exterior architectural facade and significant interior historical features have been carefully preserved to maintain the feeling of the original schoolhouse.
Cynthia Milliken Taylor, president of Housing Initiatives, the project's developer, has close ties to Bessey School. Her father went to the Bessey School when it was a high school. And she herself went to Bessey when it was an elementary school. She never dreamed that one day she would work with town officials to create such a worthy and much-needed complex.
This level of commitment, both to residents as well as the surround community, is what sets Housing Initiatives apart.
Amenities
- Ample Parking
- 53 One -bedroom Apartments
- 1 Two-bedroom Apartment
- Smoke-free Housing
- On-site Laundry
- On-site Service Coordinator
- On-site Maintenance
- 24-hr Maintenance Service
- Affordable Rents
- Rent Includes Heat & Hot Water
- Internet Access Provided in All Units
- Community Kitchen & Dining Room, Library, Activity Room
Resident Service Coordination
A Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) is on-site weekly providing the following:
- Welcomes new residents and explains available community resources, program, and services
- Identifies need for assistance
- Develops linkages with community service organizations and programs
- Promotes educational and wellness activities for residents
- Fosters and builds a sense of community
- Advocates for residents and acts a liaison between residents and management as well as with the community
- Encourages residents' self-advocacy and empowerment in their social, psychological, physical, economic, and other self-sufficiency needs
- Follows-up appropriately with residents
- Evaluates the outcomes of the Service Coordination program annually
FAQ's
What are your income and asset guidelines?
Based on Tax Credit guidelines, we have income and asset limits for individuals/couples tied to a rent which includes heat and hot water, tenant is responsible for their own electric, telephone and cable bill. We provide basic cable and an unsecured wireless network for $35.00 a month. We never list the rent amount and guidelines because they change regularly.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes, our wait list is 1 year or possibly longer.
Do you have a pet policy?
We allow 1 cat with papers and a $300 deposit deducted monthly until it is paid off.
Regarding couples, do both parties need to be 55 yrs of age?
Yes
Do you have a storage facility?
No, we do not.
What is your smoking policy?
We are a non-smoking facility for guests as well as residents.