Today is a life-changing day for 95 families, but they won't know it for another seven months to a year.

Non-profit housing developer Community Basics held a ground-breaking ceremony today for Country Club Apartments.

The $19 million project is on 17.7 acres along Pitney Road, across from the former Kemps Foods factory along Hempstead Road in East Lampeter Township.

Its 95 moderately priced rental units will be offered to families with modest incomes.

"It's one of the largest affordable housing projects in Lancaster County," said Ken Smith, 63, the executive director of the development company based at 630 Almanac Ave. "There is such a need for this kind of housing. We expect apartments to fill as soon as we get the buildings constructed."

Twenty-three apartments are expected to be available Nov. 1, with the rest by the end of April 2009.

Only families who earn 20 to 80 percent of the area's median income will be allowed to rent the apartments. That's about $10,000 to $50,000 a year, Smith said.

Rent will range from $288 to $1,333 per month, with all utilities included.

Ten units will be available for handicapped individuals at the lower rate. Higher-priced units will target renters trying to save money to buy their own homes, he said.

Lancaster Country Club in 2006 sold the 17-acre site to FKK of Lancaster for $2 million. That firm transferred the tract to Community Basics for the same price on Monday, Smith said.

"The area is perfect for apartments," he said, with jobs, shopping opportunities and public transportation nearby.

The project will have eight buildings totaling 127,000 square feet.

There will be 54 two-bedroom, 24 three-bedroom and 17 four-bedroom apartments.

Caldwell, Heckles and Egan is the general contractor.

The Lancaster City Housing Authority created Community Basics in 1997.

It has established Three Center Square in Maytown, Golden Triangle Apartments in Manheim Township, New Holland Apartments in New Holland, Walnut Street Apartments in Lititz, and Waverly Court in Springettsbury Township in York County.

Community Basics has long planned to build a 300-unit housing community on the Sunnyside peninsula in the city.

That plan is on hold while county commissioners are considering the possibility of constructing a building on the peninsula for the Children & Youth agency.

But other development along Pitney Road is moving forward.

Earlier this month, city planners approved the final plan for a new $30 million retail center — to be anchored by a Lowe's home-improvement store — on the site of the former Kemps Foods building at Pitney and Hempstead roads.

Staff writer Ryan Robinson can be reached at rrobinson@LNPnews.com or 481-6032.