Applicants turn out for New Berlin housing development

About 100 people, some showing up at 2 a.m., turned out Thursday to apply for residency at the City Center at Deer Creek housing development in New Berlin, according to the project developer.

One of four 34-unit buildings will be ready for occupancy by Sept. 1, with the other three ready by November, said Patrick Shanahan, a vice president of asset management for MSP Real Estate.

Eighty-six of the first 102 units at the development, at 15155 W. National Ave., are being marketed as affordable housing units, reserved for multifamily residents earning no more than 60% of the median income of Waukesha County, according to information provided by MSP.

The fourth building, also affordable housing, will be available to seniors 55 and older, Shanahan said.

All applicants will be subject to credit and criminal background checks and will be required to provide rental references, he said.

Approval will be on a first come, first served basis. It's probable not all of the applicants who showed up Thursday will meet qualifications, so anyone interested is still encouraged to apply, Shanahan said.

In April, New Berlin reached a settlement with federal authorities in a discrimination lawsuit filed against it by the U.S. Justice Department after a July 2010 decision by the city Plan Commission to rescinded initial approval of the development. A judge approved the settlement.

Anyone interested in applying for residency at the project may call (262) 754-0081.