Chicago's old Town Hall police station to become housing for LGBT seniors

The need for housing for LGBT seniors is an issue we’re seeing more and more in the news. In Chicago, one old police station is set for conversion to affordable units, allowing residents of a historically gay neighborhood to stay there as they age. From the Chicago Sun-Times: A former police station on the North Side that once was a symbol of discrimination to Chicago’s gay community will become part of a housing development serving gay seniors. For $1, the city will sell the old Town Hall District station, 3600 N. Halsted, to Heartland Housing Inc., sources said. The nonprofit developer will incorporate the old station into new construction of about 90 apartments for senior citizens. The apartments will be priced for lower-income renters. The project is a final favor for the gay community from Mayor Daley, who leaves office Monday. Senior housing has been seen as an unmet need among gays, many of whom want to stay in familiar neighborhoods as they age. Housing cannot legally be restricted by sexual orientation, but the project’s location in Boystown means its immediate market is seniors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.]]>