A Safer Home for Georgia’s Seniors: Laurel’s Edge Flooring Project Gets Boost from Key Grant

Laurel’s Edge, a United Church Homes (UCH) affordable senior living community in Kennesaw, Ga., recently received a significant grant from the Cobb EMC Foundation to complete its long-awaited flooring replacement project. This latest support builds on the foundation’s ongoing commitment to Laurel’s Edge, marking a vital step toward enhancing the safety and well-being of residents and visitors.

Laurel’s Edge provides affordable housing where residents pay just 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income for rent. Many residents will benefit from the new vinyl plank flooring, which replaces 20-year-old carpet in the common areas and apartments. The upgrade addresses critical health and safety concerns, including odors, allergens and snags in the old carpet which pose particular challenges for residents using walkers and wheelchairs. The durable vinyl flooring, which is easier and less costly to mop and sanitize, reduces the spread of viral respiratory illnesses, offering immediate benefits to the nearly 300 people served annually.

“This grant is a game-changer for Laurel’s Edge,” said Katie Davis, UCH’s senior area housing manager. “The new flooring will create a safer, cleaner environment for our residents and ensure our community remains a welcoming space for families and volunteers. We’re deeply grateful to the Cobb EMC Foundation for their ongoing support.”

The Cobb EMC Foundation Board members have awarded funding to organizations like Laurel’s Edge, recognizing those that align with the Foundation’s mission, deliver significant impact within Cobb EMC’s service territory, and support causes cherished by Cobb EMC members.

The flooring project received an initial boost from a $5,000 internal grant through UCH’s Wishing Well program and has been further supported by 26 prior Cobb EMC Foundation grants. UCH has already installed vinyl plank flooring in the first-floor common areas, portions of the second floor, and the first 30 apartments as funding became available, enabling residents to enjoy the benefits step by step. With a total estimated cost of $75,119, the latest Cobb EMC Foundation support will finalize the flooring upgrade for the remaining 20 apartments.

The new flooring also supports the longevity of the community with minimal ongoing maintenance costs. United Church Homes remains committed to transforming aging through innovative solutions like this, ensuring Laurel’s Edge continues to serve even more older adults for years to come.