We’ve done our best to anticipate community and press questions. If you have a question that was not addressed here, please contact us.
The Kinneret Apartments were built in 1967. The Kinneret Board recognizes the need for renovation and modernization throughout the buildings. The Board has determined that the best path for Kinneret’s long-term success is to sell the property to an experienced affordable housing owner who has greater capacity and access to capital for building rehabilitation.
There are many reasons that the Kinneret Board of Directors has explored selling the property, the most important of which is determining how Kinneret can maximize the impact of its mission - to enhance the lives of older adults in the Jewish and secular community - in a fiscally responsible way into the future.
The decision to sell the buildings is the result of 2 years of study and exhaustive strategic planning efforts including consultation with senior housing experts and Orlando Jewish community leaders. The need for modernization of the building, the rising costs of capital repairs on a 54-year old campus, and the escalating numbers of seniors in need has led the Kinneret Board to carefully consider options that will allow the use of limited resources for the most impact.
It is ultimately the Board’s responsibility to take the steps needed to ensure that the Kinneret Apartments continue to provide affordable housing in the best manner, including the update and modernization of the buildings and property.
The Kinneret Board intends to only consider offers from those willing to maintain the affordability of the apartments and allow the current residents to remain in their current home.
Both Kinneret Apartment buildings will remain affordable under each building’s respective HUD rent subsidy programs. The rents for the individual apartments are set by the programs that apply to each resident. This is a commitment for the term of the contract with HUD and will continue with any new owner.
It is the Board’s intention to uphold its enduring mission and commitment to provide affordable housing to income-qualified older adults. With this mission in mind, our goal will be to continue to offer programs and services to residents and the community. The many programs offered include:
Food Pantry
Health & Wellness Education
Cultural Activities
Excursions
Meal Delivery
Yes! The Kinneret Health Fair is an important event for our residents, scheduled for November 2, 2021. And, as CDC guidelines allow, we will offer more opportunities for the Kinneret residents to participate. The Health Fair is only one of the anticipated programs where corporate sponsors can safely share important information with our residents.
Yes! Now, more than ever, donations from individuals and corporate sponsors are critical to continue providing the much needed life-enriching programs for residents in Kinneret and in the Central Florida community. The sale of the property may take years. Our Board relies on the valuable support of those who recognize the needs of older adults, to continue the critical programs and services currently in place.
Holiday meals will continue to be provided to all Jewish residents at Kinneret and the extended low-income Jewish community. Our critically needed Grocery Bag distribution from Nanny and Papa’s Kitchen will continue along with weekly exercise programs and more. All these are funded by our community donors.
As of April 26, 2021, Kinneret Apartments have not been sold. However, Kinneret Board leadership have signed an agreement to engage interested and appropriate buyers. There are many steps that must happen for a sale to be completed. It is the Kinneret Board’s intent to careful work through the many steps for a successful transition to a new owner.
The Board is unanimous in their commitment to continue to provide the programs and services for older adults in need, both at Kinneret apartments and throughout Central Florida. This step will ensure that older adults today and in the future will have access to services and programs for basic needs for years to come. This change in ownership will allow Kinneret’s mission of focusing on the most basic of Judaic values - “Caring for Those Who Cared for Us” - to continue. The Kinneret Board will have the opportunity to expand how it serves the Jewish and secular community in Central Florida.
As more adults age, the need for more services to low-income seniors is growing. The Kinneret leadership is as excited as ever about Kinneret’s future and its ability to enhance the quality of life of our community’s seniors.
Day to day operations will continue with oversight provided by Kinneret’s management team. Program and services to the residents will continue as scheduled, with the best-practice CDC safety guidelines in place. It is our goal to continue providing services and programs to the Kinneret Apartments community for years to come.
We will be providing updates often on the Kinneret website at KinneretLiving.org as the Board moves forward with their plans to engage a new owner.
Questions can be directed to Rhonda Pearlman at KinneretPres@gmail.com. You can also visit the Kinneret website for the most current information at KinneretLiving.org.
KCOA provides Kinneret residents food services, social activities and programming.
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