WILTON MANORS—The Residents at Equality Park, Florida’s first senior housing development designed specifically for the LGBT community, will break ground in late 2017.
The first 48-unit development will be built on the campus of the Pride Center which has formed a partnership with Miami-based Carrfour Supportive Housing, Florida’s largest nonprofit affordable housing developer. The first phase will include 48 apartments – 34 of which will be designated for low-income seniors living with disabling conditions, such as physical illnesses or disabilities due to complications from HIV/AIDS. The remaining units will provide affordable low-income housing for seniors earning less than 60% of the area’s median income (AMI) – or approximately $35,000 a year. The project’s proposed second phase, which will include an additional 74 units, is expected to be developed at a later date.
“There’s a growing need for affordable housing in South Florida, particularly among underserved populations such as the senior LGBT community and those living with disabilities,” said Stephanie Berman, President and CEO of Carrfour Supportive Housing. “Beyond providing a place to call home, Carrfour will partner with The Pride Center to ensure that residents at The Residences at Equality Park have convenient access to community services, healthcare, financial planning, and social networks that combat isolation.”
“Broward County has a rapidly-expanding population of aging LGBT adults and unfortunately, very limited affordable housing options,” said Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center. “The Residences at Equality Park, coupled with The Pride Center’s ever-growing seniors programming – the largest LGBT seniors program in the nation – will help give these residents a permanent and safe place to live along with the supportive services they need to stay there.”
