photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

People attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place Apartments on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

An apartment complex for low-income seniors and disabled veterans has opened its doors, and it’s anticipated to welcome its first residents in January.

Community members gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place Apartments on Thursday, across the parking lot from Clinton Place Apartments at 2125 Clinton Parkway. The new apartment complex is for low-income seniors and disabled veterans, and it will allow Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority to serve more than 30 people waiting for affordable housing.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Delmar Place is named after Delmar Jackson, a maintenance employee of LDCHA, and he is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

County Commissioner Patrick Kelly told the crowd that Delmar Place is more than just a building, it’s a response to a challenge in the community.

“I know you are all familiar with ‘A Place for Everyone,’ our county’s plan to end homelessness and expand affordable housing,” Kelly said. “And it calls for adding 1,500 affordable renting units and at least 50 supportive units for adults 55 and over. And that need is real.”

Wallace Meyer Jr., chair of the Lawrence-Douglas County Board of Directors, said homelessness has a devastating social and economic impact on individuals and communities and it can strain public services.

“It causes increased health risks and lost economic opportunities, which ultimately are more costly than implementing preventative housing solutions, as you see behind me,” Meyer said, referring to Delmar Place behind him. ” … And that’s why we at the (Lawrence)-Douglas County Housing Authority are so pleased to open Delmar Place today.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Shannon Oury, executive director of Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Shannon Oury, executive director of the housing authority, said back in 2022, the organization created a strategic plan with their first goal being to double the number of people served by the LDCHA, and this is the first project towards that goal.

The building is named after Delmar Jackson, a maintenance employee of LDCHA who has cared for the Clinton Place Apartments across the parking lot from Delmar Place since it opened in 2006.

“He epitomizes the hard working people that work with the housing authority,” Oury said. “Not only is he our longest employee, but he has the best attendance record of all of us. He comes every day, and he does what is necessary to make this feel like a home for people who live here.”

The project cost $4.7 million with $3 million coming from an American Rescue Plan Act grant awarded by the Douglas County Commission and $1.7 million from LDCHA’s reserve funds.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Treats are available at the ribbon-cutting for Delmar Place Apartments

There are 32 one-bedroom apartments in the complex, and its tenants will pay rent on a sliding scale based on 30% of their income. The project also features a number of fully accessible units under the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically designed for seniors who use wheelchairs. The building accommodates devices for tenants with visual or hearing impairments and will provide support services like transportation, food delivery, recreational activities and access to on-site technology.

Kelly said he’s glad the building is designed with senior accessibility in mind, and affordable housing is more than bricks and mortar.

“Affordable housing is about dignity, security and belonging, not just for a few years, not just for a generation, but forever,” Kelly said. “That’s a tremendous commitment by our community and an extraordinary legacy. To the future residents of Delmar Place, we are creating this home for you. It’s a community that values your continued independence, your well-being and your connection to neighbors and services.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Delmar Jackson cut the ribbon at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place Apartments on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

County Commissioner Patrick Kelly speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Wallace Meyer Jr., chair of the Lawrence-Douglas County Board of Directors, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Delmar Place on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

People attending the ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of Delmar Place on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

A kitchen at Delmar Place Apartments.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

A bedroom at Delmar Place Apartments.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

A bathroom at Delmar Place Apartments.