HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10040 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10040
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 1, 2017
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SUBJECT: ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS OF WESTCHESTER PLAZA
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This Informal Report describes staff actions to assist residents at Westchester Plaza, an assisted living
facility for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, who were displaced after the owners announced
on July 10 that the facility would close effective August 10, 2017. The owners, WHG Heritage, Inc.,have
stated that the closure was due Medicaid's low reimbursement rates, changes in process management in the
program, and the expansion of alternative entitlement programs. The facility was licensed to serve 275
individuals. As of July 26, Westchester Plaza had approximately 75 residents that were still in need of
placement into other housing.
The Neighborhood Services Department's Community Action Partners (CAP) program staff contacted
facility management on July 20. CAP employs social workers with the expertise to serve vulnerable
populations, including older adults and disabled residents. Staff spoke with one of the owners, Jeff Bryant,
who indicated that the regional staff from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
was onsite daily assisting residents in locating new housing. He also mentioned that the residents'
insurance carriers have been diligently working to identify suitable placements. He said that the primary
resource needed for residents was moving supplies. CAP staff offered to provide assistance with locating
appropriate placements and access to services offered by the Community Action Partners program.
United Way of Tarrant County has taken the lead in coordinating and vetting volunteers and donations of
supplies. Staff from the Directions Home program has verified that no voucher participants have been
impacted by the closure. Directions Home staff has also reached out to United Way to offer assistance in
obtaining moving supplies for impacted residents.
Volunteers are still needed to assist residents and CAP staff continues to monitor progress. For more
information on volunteering or to donate packing materials, interested citizens should contact United Way
of Tarrant County at 817-258-8000.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS