CHANDLER — About 70 applications have been received from people wanting to rent apartments at SilverLeaf at Chandler, a government-subsidized community, city administrator Jim Moffeit said.

“And we’re still taking names if people are interested in it. But the one thing we don’t know have access to is the total qualification process.”

The second construction phase of the apartment community on Farm-to- Market Road 2010 is underway, and the first homes should be available for lease by August.

“I’d be really surprised if it’s done before the end of July,” Moffeit said. “This weather has cost (the builder) a ton of time.”

More than 70 units are expected to be built. An $8 million project, SilverLeaf at Chandler is for tenants 55 and older who are on fixed incomes. The one- and twobedroom units range in price from $194 to $565.

According to city documents, income restrictions for a family of two is between $12,500 and $24,000. It is between $11,000 and $22,000 for a one-person tenant.

Chandler’s Economic Development Foundation, which Moffeit chairs, provided a $100,000 loan to Solutions Plus in 2009 to help cover the cost of infrastructure. And last November, the city approved a resolution “declaring support” for SilverLeaf to apply for HOME funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs this year.

The state program provides grants and loans to help governments and agen- cies build affordable housing to low-income families.

SilverLeaf marks the start of an initiative by city officials to increase housing in the area and attract more businesses and industry as projections show growth west of Tyler will play a role in advancing Chandler’s economy.

The estimated median home value in Chandler in 2007 was $123,586. That same year, 25 permits were issued on home construction at an average cost of $134,600.

In 2006, 23 permits were issued at an average cost of $143,700.

A combined 58 permits were issued in the previous two years. Since 1996, the most building permits acquired for single-home construction was in 1997, with 39.

The average cost that year was $79,900.

SilverLeaf, officials have said, is expected to create two to four jobs and enhance the area’s economy, with about 70 percent of SilverLeaf tenants moving here from outside Chandler.