Senior Village Project
Click here for the Grandfamilies Executive Summary with the University of Illinois
Click here for Grandparents Resource And kNowledge (GRAN) Guide
The housing needs of seniors have changed. Today housing involves more than just the need for a single unit for a retiree, someone whose children have left home, or senior citizen surviving the loss of a spouse.
In Chicago, more than 41,000 grandparents 60-years or older are responsible for grandchildren under the age of 18. These "grand families," according to a 1997 survey, also included a significant numbers of low income households. Of the 335 grand families surveyed, more than over 51% had incomes of $25,000 per year or less.
In Bronzeville, 85.3% of grandparents lived with grandchildren under the age of 18 -- compared to 76.8% for the city as a whole. Grand families account for 7.8% of family households in Bronzeville. The grand family population citywide is just 5.2%.
Changes in the housing needs and family dynamics of seniors demand a different approach to meet a critical affordable housing need. The Renaissance Collaborative recognizes this need and plans to build a Senior Village to meet the diverse needs of Bronzeville residents. This development initiative seeks to respond to the growing senior population, which is expected to double by the year 2030, support growing numbers of seniors who are primary caregivers of dependents, and integrate seniors into the community in a different way.
The village concept embraces the desire seniors have to age in place, provide a supportive environment that accommodates independent seniors, those raising dependents, and those needing extra assistance. Plans call for three separate buildings to support each different group of seniors: independent, intergenerational and dependent living stages. TRC will provide this affordable housing with the primary intent of supporting those seniors who are also the primary caregivers of dependent children. This type of housing is known as intergenerational housing.
We plan to utilize the talents and gifts of residents necessary to assist and support one another.
The development design space will address multi-social services required for seniors and dependents. Its physical design considers the historic community of Bronzeville and embraces the “age in place” concept in a way that although the facilities are separate, they are connected. The project has three primary goals:
Create an attractive and innovative living environment
Support seniors who are primary caregivers of dependents
Develop a multi-generational space that invites broader community participation
When completed the village will provide an additional 125-145 units for seniors and bring an adult day-care, a concept similar to Mather’s Café and other economic services to the community.
TRC has a background in creating comprehensive supportive housing environments. Its initial success was redevelopment of the historic Wabash YMCA building in Bronzeville. TRC returned an historic landmark back to the community, while creating an economic boom for the area. That development, The Renaissance Apartments and Fitness for Life Center, provides 101 units of single room occupancy housing and comprehensive services for tenants that have been homeless or who on the verge of homelessness. Services range from affordable housing to job preparation and life management skills.
The experience of developing and managing the building and success in human capital development has allowed TRC to gain valuable insight into how to establish and maintain a successful program. TRC has also earned a reputation for excellence in supportive housing. The Renaissance Apartments received the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development Landmark Award in 2001, LISC Non-profit Development Award in 2002, National Historic Trust 2002 Award, and the Chicago AIA Historic Award in 2002.
Among plans for the development are 71 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units, 10 three-bedroom units, a community kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, laundry centers, a cafe, a small service area and space for administrative offices as well as 48 efficiency units, three health and wellness stations, a dining room, a commercial kitchen, a nutritionist's office, lounge and adult day center. The project is slated to begin in late 2007.
