In one weekend, members of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus gathered over 1,000 signatures supporting the idea of using land at the Martha Washington Campus at Irving Park and Western for truly affordable senior housing. This was the first weekend of activities for the 400-member group of North Side seniors, which aims to collect a total of at least 2,500 signatures.
The petition calls for using land that would be donated by Advocate Health Care for at least 150 units of senior housing that are affordable for fixed-income seniors making less than $25,000 a year. Over 40 percent of seniors in the area fit that description. The petition suggests the use of low-rise buildings designed in cooperation with area residents.
Edith Heath, a Senior Caucus member who was forced to move out of Ravenswood by rising rents, said people were happy to sign the petition. "Everyone was very supportive, whether they were seniors or younger people," said Ms. Heath. "People in Ravenswood realize there is a crisis when it comes to whether seniors can afford to stay in their homes."
Mary E. Burns of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus presented the first 1,000 signatures to Ald. Gene Schulter (47th) at his Senior Housing Task Force. Over two-thirds of the signatures came form 47th Ward residents, while other signatures came from people who believe that the need for truly affordable senior housing impacts the entire North Side.
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