LSNA Supports Proposal for Supportive Housing on Milwaukee Ave.

On Monday, November 13th, 200 Logan Square residents came out to a community meeting hosted by Ald. Rey Colón. The purpose of the meeting was to find out what people would like to see happen at the Morris B. Sachs building located on the 2800 block of N. Milwaukee (also known as the Payless Building). Ald. Colón recently began working with the City to buy the building for redevelopment. At the meeting community residents had the opportunity to stand up and share their thoughts and opinions. Although the current proposal has been a hot topic of discussion throughout the neighborhood, the majority of residents were in support of a proposal to build supportive housing in this building. Delia Ramirez, Executive Director of Humboldt Park Social Services, has stressed the fact that “this is an opportunity to create a multi-use building that would have business, services and affordable housing onsite. Both staff and residents would support local businesses in the area; it’s a win, win plan for all of us.” The goal of LSNA has been to educate local residents about what supportive housing really is as there have been many incorrect rumors floating around. In two days LSNA was able to collect over 100 signatures from local residents and 16 from business on the block of the Sachs building in support of supportive housing at that site. “I believe that this [supportive housing] could only benefit my business as well as others on this block,” said Junior Burgos, owner of the Dollar Day on Milwaukee and Wolfram.

Supportive housing is:

· A successful, cost-effective combination of affordable housing with services that helps people live more stable, productive lives.

· Stable permanent housing.

· Where the tenant has access to a flexible array of comprehensive services, including medical and wellness, vocational and employment, money management, coordinated support (case management), life skills, household establishment, and tenant advocacy.

People who live in supportive housing sign leases and pay rent, just like their neighbors.