Because of unavoidable costly repairs totaling well more than $1.5 million, Fairhaven Retirement Home will shutter its doors this summer after 44 years, sending 17 elderly residents to search for new homes.

DRC/Barron Ludlum

Residents Oleta Davis, 98, and Nancy Calmes, 89, are shown in front of Fairhaven Retirement Home on North Bell Avenue.

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Since the retirement facility was saved from closing nearly three years ago, the nonprofit home has faced substantial losses of thousands of dollars each month because of low occupancy rates, said Ron Ackerman, chairman of the board of directors of Plano Community Homes.

“It’s disappointing and sad that we have to take the action we’re taking,” Ackerman said.

The roof and foundation were in such disrepair that the building would not satisfy the minimum U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards, he said.

If the owners start remodeling, they would need to address Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines, adding to the cost of repairs, Ackerman said.

When Plano Community Homes, which manages 450 residential apartments, took over the 49-unit facility, the company conducted market research and determined the facility was needed in Denton.

But as time passed, the 300-square-foot apartments — resembling motel rooms —proved unmarketable, he said.

The early 1960s architecture of the facility couldn’t compete with newer senior apartments in town, including some that offer subsidized rent, Ackerman said.

For Eugenia Forman, 90, and other residents, it’s heartbreaking to leave their homes.

“I never thought I would leave. I thought they would have to take me out feet first. I thought I was settled. When you’re 90 and told you have to leave, it doesn’t make you happy,” said Forman, who has lived at Fairhaven for 20 years.

Residents Nancy Calmes, 89, and Oleta Davis, 98, say they are sick over the prospect of packing up their belongings.

“We don’t want to leave. I thought I had moved for the last time [when I moved to Fairhaven],” Davis said.

The daunting prospect of moving isn’t only about the hassle of packing, but trying to find a substitute for a retirement facility that offers three meals a day, said resident Cherrie Dickson.

Fixing her own meals isn’t easy because she has bad knees and uses a walker, she said.

The 70-year-old had tears in her eyes as she thought of having to purchase new household furnishings, including appliances, dishes and utensils just in order to eat.

Several residents at Fairhaven live off Social Security and pay reduced rent with the help of subsidies. They are lucky to have $70 a month left over after paying bills, said Nye Word, service coordinator at Fairhaven.

All Fairhaven residents will be forced to pay more for their living situations, Word said.

Forman said she will pay about 40 percent more for rent and will need to bring someone in to fix her meals and take care of her laundry.

Although a closing date has not been announced, the residents said they are planning to leave before June 30.

Plano Community Homes is working with HUD to hopefully bring Fairhaven back at some point, but it could be three to five years down the road, Ackerman said.

“It’s a great facility,” he said. “It’s a shame it can’t be maintained.”

The loss of Fairhaven will ultimately hurt the Denton community, said Dale Yeatts, a sociology professor at the University of North Texas and former Fairhaven board member.

“These people can’t afford to pay for the kind of needs they have,” Yeatts said. “I don’t know what they’re going to do.”

Older individuals with low income are often forgotten in society and without places like Fairhaven, they typically are left without the ability to support themselves, he said.

“All the people who live there [Fairhaven] have aged there and have a lot more need,” Yeatts said.

Forman said she is still hoping someone will come forward and Fairhaven will be saved once again.

“So many people don’t even know that Fairhaven exists. I just don’t understand it,” Forman said. “I hope they save it again. I still think it’s possible. It could still happen, yet.”

To volunteer or donate boxes to Fairhaven, call Nye Word at 940-484-4950.

CANDACE CARLISLE can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is ccarlisle@dentonrc.com .