Nearly $300,000 HUD Grant Awarded To Affordable Apartments For Seniors In Wilmette

WILMETTE, IL — A local affordable housing project for seniors has been awarded a federal grant worth nearly $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.

Gates Manor, a 51-unit affordable apartment building at 1135 Wilmette Ave., received the grant from HUD's Service Coordinator in Multifamily Housing program.

To qualify to live at Gates Manor, residents must be at least 62 years old, qualify as having "very low" or "extremely low" income and pay 30 percent of that towards rent.

The grant will fund the salary of a service coordinator to connect residents with resources to help them live independently, HUD officials announced. Services include help with financial management, more social opportunities and access to health and wellness programs.

The coordinators work directly with residents to link them to essential services while helping property management better understand the needs of the senior and disabled populations they serve, according to HUD.

Acting HUD Sec. Arianne Todman said the outgoing administration is committed to making sure older people have access to affordable house.

“Too many seniors are facing housing instability and homelessness," Todman said in a statement. "As a country, we must do more to ensure that we are caring for those who came before us. It is the right thing to do.”

The grant for Gates Manor is part of a $40 million national initiative to support service coordinators at 107 affordable housing sites for seniors and people with disabilities.