Tough tenant requirements keep Roosevelt Apartments half empty

The need for affordable housing increased in Cedar Rapids after the 2008 flood.  It's not surprising the renovated Roosevelt apartment is inundated with prospective tenants.  But it's currently only have occupied. The primary reason: it's not easy to get in.  A single person can't make much more than $28,000 and a family of four's household income can't be much more than $40,000.

“I work two different jobs. I do music downtown,” said Roosevelt resident Seth Lee.

So 23 year old Seth Lee lives here.

“Thanks for calling the Roosevelt,” said Roosevelt Apartments Property Manager Rosemary Vaccaro.

After its grand opening earlier this month, property manager Rosemary Vaccaro gets 50 to 60 calls a day about available apartments.  That leads to hundreds of applications to go through.

“We are an apartment building for the working class,” said Vaccaro.

The Roosevelt is low-income, but it's not open to everyone.

"We are income restricted and we have certain qualifications,” said Vaccaro.

The application process is extensive.  It's part of the reason why the building isn't nearly half full.

“We do credit checks, background checks, so we ensure a safe community,” said Vaccaro.

Necessary hurdles Lee was happy to jump over.

“You have people that try to take advantage of the system and they're making sure those people don't get into the Roosevelt,” said Lee.

The old Roosevelt before the flood had its fair share of problems with crime, drugs, and infestations.  The new weeding-out process hopes to eliminate that….

“I have a lot of myths I need to change from the old Roosevelt to the new Roosevelt,” said Vaccaro.

…and still provide safe, clean, and affordable housing.

“I'm not rich by any means but I feel like I deserve to have a safe and clean environment,” said Lee.

Renters can use a section 8 voucher or a social security voucher to qualify as part of the income requirement.  But people still have to be employed and stay under the income levels.

Key Information:

One-bedroom apartments are $495 per month and two-bedroom/two bathroom units are $639. Both include utilities.

Individuals can earn up to $28,380 annually to qualify and two-person households can earn up to $32,460.

Roosevelt Apartments call (319) 366-0200 M-F 10am-6pm.