LGBT Housing to Break Ground

[William769]

Capping off LGBT History Month, the dmhFund and Pennrose Properties are scheduled to break ground on a new LGBT-friendly, low-income senior housing project (Oct. 29). Originally known as the “William Way Senior Residences,” the building’s official name will be unveiled at a special ceremony at 249 South 13th Street at noon on Monday. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will both be in attendance, along with many other LGBT leaders from the past decades.

The project, which is expected to be completed sometime next year, was spearheaded by dmhFund President Mark Segal. “I’ve observed the challenging journeys of so many other LGBT senior housing developments,” he says, “and I knew the key to our success would have to be taking a different approach to funding by focusing outside the LGBT community, and going after the same money available to other communities for their low-income seniors.”

Financing for the $19.5 million project was provided through a Philadelphia HOME grant, Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Pennrose Properties is overseeing the project.

“It’s heartening to know that local, state and federal officials from both sides of the aisle are understanding and supportive of our efforts to help our aging community members live out their golden years in comfort and dignity, without being forced back into the closet,” says Segal. “With our numbers only continuing to rise, now is the perfect time.”

http://blogs.phillymag.com/gphilly/2012/10/19/lgbt-housing-break-ground-2/

[LeftofObama]

1. That's great!

Definitely something that's needed in our community. Thanks for posting that.

[Old Union Guy]

2. Segregated housing? Why is this a good thing? Not societal acceptance?

I'm not looking for an argument. Not yet anyway.
Please explain this to me.

[William769]

3. I have no idea what your objection could possibly be on this.

A person's golden years in many cases is not easy especially in the LGBT community. Being single & aging in the LGBT community is doubly hard.

his is just one article that touches on the subject http://adelantemagazine.com/2011/04/aging-young-gay-men-the-lonely-years-ahead/ There is a ton of information out there on this subject. I suggest you do a little research to be better informed.

ETA: Heres another article that sheds light on the subject. http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/12/29/housing-market-unprepared-for-aging-gay-community/

[Old Union Guy]

4. Thanks. n/t

[Fearless]

5. I had a similar discussion regarding "special interest" housing (dorms) at my former university.

They were at the time looking to get rid of so called "special interest" housing options... ie. specialized floors in dorms that had programs for specific groups of students. LGBT was one of them, but also African American, Native American, and a few others. The argument for their removal was as you called it "segregation". However, we must recognize in practice that segregation is the forced sequestering of a group.

No one in either case is being forced to take this option. It is however an option available to those who see it as a positive, who need/desire/are curious about such options for a variety of reasons. For instance, an LGBT student quite literally may never have been part of the community before and this housing option provides them with that opportunity. In the case of the elderly, people become increasingly dependent on others as they age. It behooves an LGBT person to ensure that they are in the capable hands of those who have their interests at heart. Those who are caring and nurturing of the circumstances of age for an elederly LGBT person.

[xchrom]

6. Du rec. Nt