Heartland Alliance Report Finds Growing Housing Insecurity for Aging Wisconsinites, Redevelops 37th Street School into Affordable Senior Housing

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Heartland Housing, a division of Heartland Alliance, joins city, county, and statewide partners in the grand opening of the new 37th Street Apartments. The former 37th Street School has been renovated into 49 units of affordable for Milwaukee's aging populations.

The building's grand opening coincides with a report, developed in partnership with Heartland Alliance's Social IMPACT Research Center and the RRF Foundation, that finds a dramatic need for more affordable housing as south east Wisconsin's population continues to age.

"Our Social IMPACT Research Center has found that 47% of renters in Milwaukee are rent-burdened, with many spending more than half of their income on rent," said Heartland Housing Executive Director, Earl Chase. "We need to continue developing concrete solutions to ensure safe, affordable housing for all of us."

The report, titled "Housing Needs for Older Adult: An Assessment of Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Racine Counties" states that the aging population (people over 55) is growing in all three counties in south east Wisconsin. At the same time, older adults are facing declining incomes as they age, relying more on social security or lower wage jobs for living expenses.

"The data illustrate trends that threaten housing stability for older adults in Southeastern Wisconsin," said Katie Buitrago, Senior Director of Research and Analytics at Heartland Alliance. "Older adults deserve safe, affordable housing that allows them to age independently, but there are not enough resources to bridge the gap between what older adults can afford and what it costs to operate affordable housing."

The historic building at 1715 N. 37th St. was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Heartland's rehabilitation has repurposed the building into 49 modern apartments, and will be available for individuals with incomes between approximately $17,500 and $45,000 per year, with a few units for those with incomes above $45,000. New space has been redeveloped in partnership with Community First to address the specific needs of Wisconsinites over 55.

The development of 37th Street Apartments was supported by historic preservation tax credits and Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Other lead partners in the development include the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the City of Milwaukee, along with funding partners Enterprise Community Investment, and BMO Harris Bank.

This will be Heartland Housing's fifth housing development in the city of Milwaukee. Previous developments include:

•     Maskani Place (320 E. Center St. – opened 2014)
•     Capuchin Apartments (2502 W. Tamarack St. – opened 2011)
•     Prairie Apartments (1218 W. Highland Ave. – opened 2008)
•     St. Anthony Place (1004 N. 10th St. – Opened 2020)

About Heartland Housing
Heartland Housing, Inc., a subsidiary of Heartland Alliance, is a community housing development organization which facilitates the development of people through the preservation and creation of affordable and supportive housing, with a priority in meeting the needs of those facing homelessness, those with very low-income, and those with chronic disabilities.
http://www.heartlandhousing.org

About Heartland Alliance's Social IMPACT Research Center
Heartland Alliance's Social IMPACT Research Center conducts research that helps leaders create change and advance real-world solutions to poverty. For more info, visit http://www.heartlandalliance.org/research/ and follow us on Twitter.

For Electronic Renderings and Pictures of St. Anthony's check out:
https://www.heartlandalliance.org/news-media

Media Contact

Joe Dutra, Heartland Alliance, 312-350-0602, [email protected]

SOURCE Heartland Alliance