Story and photo by Van Mitchell. Staff Writer
The Commons on Classen is a $4.2 million senior living apartment complex project in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Midtown District located at 1320 Classen Drive that provides nearly 50 units of affordable housing to seniors in an amenity-rich environment.
This award-winning, energy efficient complex is for those that are 62 years of age and older. It was built at the former headquarters of Neighborhood Housing Services of Oklahoma.
“We’re affordable quality housing for seniors with amenities,” said Shannon Hitchcock, manager of the Commons on Classen. “This is a beautiful property. It’s a well-kept property. It’s a well-managed property.”
The Commons on Classen offers efficiencies, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes which come equipped with washer and dryer, microwave, stove/oven, garbage disposal, refrigerator and dishwasher.
“You can get a one-bedroom apartment for $675 a month plus electric, which is pretty cheap in Midtown,” Hitchcock said.
The property includes a splash pad, tot lot and patio grills, library, fitness facility, computer lab, and community room. Lawn care and maintenance are also included.
Hitchcock said the Commons on Classen currently has several apartment homes available for rent.
“We typically have a very little turnover here,” she said. “They (residents) usually stay until they have to go where they need more care which is what’s happened here this last year.”
Hitchcock said applicants must pass a background check and credit history check.
“We take pride in ensuring our tenants safety and security in the fact that we do background screenings and provide the safest environment possible,” she said.
Hitchcock said applicants must also qualify financially.
“We are affordable housing geared toward different income levels,” she said.
Hitchcock said the property’s amenities including the library are good selling points to renters.
“A lot of our residents like to just consider this an extension of their own home,” she said. “They like to come up here in the mornings and have coffee, read a book, read the paper. It’s just a nice place to come if you want to get outside of your apartment. It’s just a very pleasant place to be.”
Hitchcock said the Commons on Classen also hosts a variety of community events for residents.
“Sometimes I have a home health person that will come in and host bingo, or an ice cream social, and then talk about their services. Sometimes we’ll just do a luncheon,” she said. “We’ve had people come in and host crafting events before, and we’ve had community painting activities.”
Hitchcock said the community events are a hit with residents.
“They love it,” she said. “They love our social events. Especially when we do bingo with prizes and giveaways. They love it. They do utilize the community room quite a bit for stuff with their families like birthday parties.”
Hitchcock said the Commons on Classen location is popular due to its proximity to amenities.
“Here in Midtown, we are close to restaurants, and shopping,” she said. “A lot of my seniors don’t drive, and they can walk. There are all kinds of things here that they can do. We get a lot of young seniors that like to go do stuff. We’re close to public transportation and the trolley.”
Hitchcock said helping seniors find a home is rewarding.
“I like being able to help someone find their final home,” she said. “I like knowing that they’re safe and they’re comfortable and have a nice place to live.”
In a YouTube video, Michael Davis, a resident, said he learned about the Commons on Classen through his VA case manager.
“I was at the Serenity (Outreach Recovery) under the homeless program,” he said. “My caseworker at the VA hospital told me about this place. It was new. I went from seven years of psychological behavior to peace. My life has gotten straightened out quite a bit.”
Davis said his apartment is handicapped-accessible.
“It’s easy for me to cook and wash,” he said. “The location is convenient for me. I can ride my scooter to the VA hospital. This scooter’s rated at going 70 miles at 15 miles an hour, so I pretty much go wherever I want to.”
Davis said after losing his right leg, he became dependent on others. He said the Commons on Classen gave him his independence back.
“When they cut my leg off, it stopped everything,” he said. “I had to become dependent upon people. It’s been hard on me. I’ve always taken care of myself, and I’m still taking care of myself, and I think this facility has allowed me to be able to do that.”
For more information about Commons on Classen visit
www.nhsokla.org/apartments For leasing information, contact Shannon Hitchcock at (405) 601-6819.
