LOCATION
Location is first and foremost when planning your retirement. Think Pennsylvania! As per Governor Tom Corbett, in the revised edition June 2011 "Benefits & Rights for Older Pennsylvanians" booklet where he stated: "Our state is fortunate to be home to 2.6 million people over the age of 60 and more than 309,000 over the age of 85; now the fastest-growing segment of our population. In the next 10 to 20 years, we anticipate rapid growth in the percentage of residents between the ages of 60 to 70. We are working hard to prepare for that increase to ensure our many programs and services are ready to meet their needs."
As the time for retirement nears or you are planning a relocation during retirement you want to ensure that programs and services are available to help older adults lead happy, healthy and dignified lives.
Choose the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, then the Pocono Mountains, Monroe County and East Stroudsburg, taking the following into consideration when planning just how beneficial this location is to retire in:
*In the northeast corner of Pennsylvania lie the breathtakingly beautiful Pocono Mountains.
*Monroe County, established in 1836 and named for President James Monroe, is situated 90 miles north of Philadelphia, 75 miles west of New York City and 116 miles east of Harrisburg. Monroe County stretches across 611 square miles of rural terrain, rolling hills and farm lands to the more populated boroughs and is bordered on the east by the Delaware River and the west by the Lehigh River.
*The Borough of East Stroudsburg was created by an Act of the Pennsylvania State Legislature and incorporated as a borough in 1870. This municipality includes an area of approximately 2.5 square miles and a resident population of over 11,000. This borough originally was the industrial center of Monroe County due to the railroad. Now it is home to the two largest service institutes in the county, East Stroudsburg University and the Pocono Medical Center.
View Larger Map
FACILITIES
Shirley Futch Plaza, opened in 1979, is an attractive, well maintained building for senior citizens and physically handicapped and/or disabled person located in the heart of East Stroudsburg, PA.
Staff includes property manager, social services coordinator, building superintendent, maintenance person and a computer facilitator.
The building has a community room with large screen television and wii console used for bowling, golf, etc., a piano for birthday parties, meetings and entertainment. Shuffleboard, bingo, puzzles and a well stocked library are available as well.
It has a computer room with high speed computers and a well informed instructor three days a week.
A well lit lobby is located on each of the four floors, with comfortable seating for socializing.
A beauty salon open three days a week.
Two laundry rooms located on the first and third floors.
Beautiful, well maintained grounds with a stream and gazebo, also benches for socializing or reading.
Trash disposal and recycling room on each floor and bi-weekly trash pickup.
Routine preventative pest control.
In house mail delivery.
Bookmobile visits bi-monthly.
The building has two elevators and Entraguard Control System for entry. There are smoke detectors, 2 air conditioning units, wall-to-wall carpet, emergency pull cords as well as garbage disposals in each apartment.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Provides affordable housing for seniors and handicapped persons. Seniors are persons 62 years of age or older. Handicapped/disabled persons with a physical disability may apply. Minimum age is 18 years.
Rents are based on approximately 30% of adjusted gross income, are subsidized by HUD, are adjusted to reflect average monthly cost of electricity, and are recertified annually.
Income limits are applicable.
Most residents qualify for the Pennsylvania Rent Rebate Program.
HELPFUL LINKS
Monroe County Area Agency of Aging
Pnnsylvania's SeniorLaw Helpline
PACE and PACENET
Medicare
Social Security Administration
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Monroe County Meals on Wheels
Monroe County Transit Authority
HOW TO APPLY AT SHIRLEY FUTCH PLAZA
Call 570-421-1517 to request an application to be sent by mail
OR
Stop by the Rental Office at
4 South Kistler Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT MONROE COUNTY
*Mitchell Palmer (1872-1936) of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, was Attorney General of the United States under President Woodrow Wilson, 1919-1921.
* The Kitson Woolen Mill in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, set a world record in 1898 when they produced a wool suit, "from sheep to suit" in six hours and four minutes.
*Marshalls Creek is named for Edward Marshall one of the walkers in the infamous Walking Purchase of 1742.
*The most complete Mastodon skeleton ever found in PA was discovered in Marshalls Creek.
*The Delaware River is the Eastern Border of Monroe County provides water to 10% of the nation's population.
*Clara Adams from Tannersville, Monroe County, was the first paying passenger to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the Graf Zeppelin in 1928.
*Fred Waring, promoter of the Waring blender and leader of the Pennsylvanians, broadcast his famous radio shows from Shawnee-On-Delaware, Monroe County.
