LAPLACE — At Place Dubourg in LaPlace, seniors age 62 and older independently maintain their own apartments, sign up for voluntary social events and come and go as they please.

Located at 201 Rue Dubourg behind St. Charles Catholic High School, the five-story facility is often misidentified as a nursing home or an assisted living center, according to community manager Lynn Williams.

With a mission to provide affordable housing for seniors, Place Dubourg offers a comfortable, community-oriented atmosphere to self-reliant residents.

The facility boasts 116 climate controlled one-bedroom apartments, which include individual ovens and refrigerators. The facility includes on-site laundry and maintenance services.

Single seniors primarily occupy rooms, Williams said, adding rent is based on a tenant’s adjusted monthly income.

“Residents only pay 30 percent of what they make, so they’re not spending $900 or $1,000 each month in rent,” Williams said. “That way, they still have money to buy their medicine and groceries.”

Williams said residents benefit from not having to deal with the upkeep of a house, citing grass cutting and pest control as examples of services provided at the facility.

Individuals under 62 with physical disabilities may qualify for a limited number of accessible units, providing easier access to showers, sinks, shelves and other home necessities.

For seniors living at Place Dubourg, social entertainment is only an elevator ride away.

“A lot of families are glad their parents have a place to live where they can have a social circle of people their own age,” Williams said.

Residents are currently preparing for the “Senior Olympics,” an opportunity to participate in beanbag tosses and putt-putt golf, among other lighthearted games.

Social activities also include an upcoming senior fashion show, monthly birthday celebrations, bingo, weekly Bible study and Mass.

At least once a month, seniors go on outings to restaurants, the theater or other attractions, the most recent being a trip to Jazz Fest.

Transportation to doctors’ appointments is offered to residents every Monday and Thursday, and grocery store outings are every other Wednesday. Those with vehicles may leave the facility at any time.

Residents bring their own money on trips, Williams said, though Place Dubourg occasionally holds fundraisers to buy materials for craft days.

Rita Andre, a 21-year resident of Place Dubourg, said she’s always enjoyed participating in dining room activities and meeting people who live in the complex.

Out of more than 100 residents, Andre has lived at Place Dubourg the longest. For her, moving in was a path to independence.

“I wanted a place of my own,” Andre said. “I told my brother-in-law, I can’t live in a suitcase and keep jumping from house to house to stay with people.”

She joked she’ll never leave Place Dubourg unless Williams kicks her out.

“It’s a nice place to spend your golden years,” Andre said. “I can’t ask for anything more.”

Place Dubourg is one of several apartment complexes offered through New Orleans-based housing organization Christopher Homes.

For more information, call 985-652-1981 or visit Place Dubourg to pick up an application.