Housing Agency Raises Awareness About Housing-Related Obstacles, Connects Older Adults to Resource
Driven by the pandemic and the recent rise of inflation, the affordable housing crisis is affecting more people nationwide, especially older adults over the age of 65. This demographic is significantly vulnerable, with more than 15 million older adults facing economic insecurity. While Congress has addressed this nationally, dedicating $500 million of The Housing Crisis Response Act of 2023 to supportive housing for older adults, combating this crisis locally is Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH), a Chicago-based housing counseling agency. The organization is raising awareness about the increasing rate of older adults becoming unhoused and working to connect older adults to resources that create housing stability.
In addition to confronting the aforementioned housing-related issues, older adults face low and fixed incomes, whether through retirement, part-time or hourly jobs, and are more likely to experience higher health-related costs. In recognizing these barriers, SCH works with its older community members to connect them to affordable housing through the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). The CHA has 43 properties that have been accommodated to meet the needs of older residents, such as renovated kitchens and bathrooms and upgraded heating and cooling systems.
“Through the Community Alliance partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, we are able to connect older adults to housing that meets both their economic and physical needs. We also offer free educational workshops to older adults and caretakers who are interested in learning more about this valuable resource,” said Joseph Lopez, Executive Director of Spanish Coalition for Housing. “Furthermore, as advocates for older adults, we have joined the National Center to Reframe Aging to more actively dismantle any invisible barriers to essential housing resources related to ageism.”
SCH is taking steps to combat ageism barriers, one example of its approach is the utilization of inclusive language both internally and externally. By renaming its “Affordable Housing for Seniors” workshop to “Affordable Housing for Older Adults,” SCH aims to diminish the stigma associated with needing or seeking a vital, affordable resource.
To learn more about the free services offered by SCH or register for a free workshop, visit www.sc4housing.org/cha.
SCH staff invites anyone interested in their services or anyone who has questions about available home buying or rental resources to email (help@sc4housing.org) or call for dedicated assistance (North Region: 773-342-7575; Southeast Region: 773-933-7575; Southwest Region: 312-850-2660).
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About Spanish Coalition for Housing
Spanish Coalition for Housing is a 501 (c)3, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified Housing Counseling agency that was founded in 1966 and has grown exponentially in the years following. SCH sees and successfully serves over 10,000 clients each year.
La agencia concientiza a la población sobre los obstáculos relacionados con la vivienda, pone en contacto con recursos de apoyo a personas mayore
CHICAGO, 1 de agosto de 2023 – Como resultado de la pandemia y la reciente inflación en aumento, la crisis de vivienda asequible está afectando a más gente por todo el país, especialmente a las personas mayores de 65 años. Este segmento demográfico se encuentra vulnerable de una forma significativa, con más de 15 millones de personas mayores que se enfrentan a la inseguridad económica. El Congreso ha abordado este problema a nivel nacional, dedicando 500 millones de dólares de la Ley de Respuesta a la Crisis de Vivienda de 2023 a la vivienda de apoyo para personas mayores. Mientras tanto, Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH), una agencia de asesoría para la vivienda cuya sede está en Chicago, está combatiendo esta crisis a nivel local. Esta organización está concientizando a la población acerca del incremento del número de personas mayores que se están quedando sin hogar y trabajando para poner en contacto a personas mayores con recursos de apoyo que crean estabilidad en la vivienda.
Además de enfrentar los problemas relacionados con la vivienda mencionados anteriormente, las personas mayores enfrentan ingresos bajos y fijos, ya sea a través del retiro o de trabajos de medio tiempo o por hora; y tienen una mayor probabilidad de experimentar costos relacionados con la salud más altos. SCH reconoce estas barreras y trabaja con las personas mayores de su comunidad para ayudarles a acceder a viviendas asequibles a través de la Autoridad de la Vivienda de Chicago (CHA, por sus siglas en inglés). CHA tiene 43 propiedades que han sido adaptadas para satisfacer las necesidades de los residentes de edad avanzada, como cocinas y baños renovados y sistemas mejorados de calefacción y aire acondicionado.
“A través de la asociación de la Alianza Comunitaria con la Autoridad de la Vivienda de Chicago, podemos ayudar a las personas mayores a acceder a viviendas que satisfacen sus necesidades tanto económicas como físicas. También ofrecemos talleres educativos gratuitos para personas mayores y cuidadores que están interesados en obtener más información acerca de este valioso recurso”, señaló Joseph López, Director Ejecutivo de Spanish Coalition for Housing. “Además, como defensores de las personas mayores, nos hemos unido al Centro Nacional para Replantear el Envejecimiento para desmantelar de una manera más activa las barreras invisibles de los recursos esenciales de vivienda relacionadas con la discriminación por edad”, agregó.
SCH está tomando las medidas necesarias para combatir las barreras creadas por la discriminación por edad; un ejemplo de su enfoque es el uso de un lenguaje inclusivo tanto internamente como de forma externa. Por ejemplo, en inglés, el nombre de su taller de vivienda asequible para personas mayores cambió de “Affordable Housing for Seniors” a “Affordable Housing for Older Adults”, con lo que SCH intenta disminuir el estigma asociado con el hecho de necesitar o buscar un recurso de apoyo crucial y asequible.
Para obtener más información acerca de los servicios gratuitos que ofrece SCH o para inscribirse en un taller gratuito, favor de visitar www.cha-sc4housing.org/cha.
El personal de SCH invita a todas las personas interesadas en sus servicios o que tengan cualquier duda acerca de los recursos de apoyo disponibles sobre la compra o renta de casas, a que envíen un correo electrónico (help@sch4housing.org) o llamen para recibir atención personalizada (región norte: 773-342-7575; región sureste: 773-933-7575; región suroeste: 312-850-2660).
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Acerca de Spanish Coalition for Housing
Spanish Coalition for Housing es una agencia 501 (c)3 de Asesoría para la Vivienda certificada por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de Estados Unidos (HUD, por sus siglas en inglés). La agencia fue fundada en 1966 y ha crecido de forma exponencial desde entonces. SCH está a cargo de más de 10,000 clientes a los que les da servicio de manera exitosa cada año.
¡Recarga tu mente! Talleres de arte para personas con pérdida de memoria
La coalición para la salud del cerebro a través del arte (Arts for Brain Health Coalition) es un grupo de proveedores de servicios de salud y el arte que trabaja para diseñar y presentar programas de arte para las personas con pérdida de memoria.
Si tiene o esta cuidando a una persona con pérdida de memoria, la enfermedad de Alzheimer u otro tipo de demencia acompáñenos a ¡Recarga tu mente! un programa especial que incluye mini-talleres en español de arte, teatro y música el 17 de agosto en el Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano.
Sábado, 17 de agosto del 2019
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano
1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago IL 60608
Donación sugerida (no requerida) $10 por persona, sólo se aceptará efectivo
9:30 am Registración y refrigerios
10:00-10:15 am Bienvenida
10:30-11:30 am Arte, teatro, y música
11:45-12:45 pm Arte, teatro, y música
Accesible a personas con discapacidades.
Para obtener más información o registrarse, llame al (312) 942-2106
La coalición para la salud del cerebro a través del arte (Arts for Brain Health Coalition) impulsa la colaboración entre los proveedores de servicios de salud y el arte para diseñar y presentar programas que utilizan la participación creativa para mejorar las vidas de las personas con pérdida de memoria y aquellos quienes los cuidan.
Arts for Brain Health Coalition is a group of healthcare and arts providers, designing and presenting programs that use creative engagement to improve the lives of people with memory loss and those who care for them.
If you have or are caring for a person with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or another type of dementia join us for the Recharge your Brain event on August 17th at the National Museum of Mexican Art. This special program will feasture mini arts workshops in Spanish for people with memory loss and those who care for them
Saturday, August 17, 2019
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago IL 60608
Suggested donation of $10 per person (cash only please)
9:30 am Registration and Refreshments
10:00-10:15 am Welcome
10:30-11:30 am Art making, Theater Improv, and Music
11:45-12:45 pm Art making, Theater Improv, and Music
ADA Accessible.
To register, or for more information, call (312) 942-2106
Las organizaciones participantes incluyen/Participating Organizations Include: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Dance Therapy, CJE Senior Life, La BROCHA, Lookingglass Theatre Company, el Centro de la Enfermedad del Alzheimer en Northwestern, el Centro de la Enfermedad del Alzheimer en Rush, y Silver Sneakers
Apoyo adicional proporcionado por/Additional Support Provided by: Renewal Care and Rush University Medical Center
Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH), a partner of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)’s Community Alliance is offering seniors and caregivers free educational workshops throughout Chicago in the neighborhoods of Belmont Cragin, Gage Park, East Side and New City. Highly skilled bilingual coordinators will explain what documentation is needed, the waiting process, and how to fill out the new online-only application using computers. Through this process, SCH has been successful in helping over 400 seniors apply for affordable senior housing units.
Jesus Sanchez will finally move into the home of his dreams. “I received a letter in the mail stating I was approved to move into the Lincoln Perry Apartments. I was so happy I couldn’t believe it finally came true. SCH provided one-on-one application assistance including accuracy of information and follow up with CHA to ensure his application was processed.
“It was a long wait, but getting the home I wanted was worth it. Thanks to Spanish Coalition for Housing the application process was easy.” Sanchez, 79, is originally from Puerto Rico and is a single, retired father with four children. He moved to Chicago 10 years ago and has worked in the delivery business most of his life.
“SCH is here to help seniors like Mr. Sanchez, access valuable information and resources that support their affordable housing needs. Through the Community Alliance program, we are here to help seniors gain information, know their options and navigate CHA’s senior housing application process”, said Lydia Rodriguez, SCH-CHA Community Alliance Coordinator.
The next workshops available are:
• June 1, 2018 – 10:30 am, Chicago Public Library, 3710 E. 106th Street (East Side)
• June 7, 2018 – 4:00 pm , Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th Street (Gage Park)
• June 7, 2018- 3:00 pm, West Belmont Public Library, 3104 N. Narragansett Avenue (Belmont Cragin)
• June 11, 2018- 1:00 pm, Kelvyn Park Satellite Senior Center, 2715 N. Cicero Avenue (Belmont Cragin)
• June 13, 2018- 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th Street (Gage Park)
• June 13, 2018- 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, Chicago Public Library, 5440 S. Racine Ave Chicago IL 60609 (New City)
• June 14, 2018- 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, West Belmont Public Library, 3104 N. Narragansett Avenue (Belmont Cragin)
• June 14, 2018 – 2:00 pm, Chicago Public Library, 3710 E. 106th Street (East Side)
• June 14, 2018 – 12:00 pm, Casa Hidalgo, 4600 S. Wood Avenue (New City)
• June 20, 2018- 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, Chicago Public Library, 5440 S. Racine Ave Chicago IL 60609 (New City)
• June 21, 2018– 12:30 pm, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th Street (Gage Park)
• June 21, 2018 – 12:00 pm, Casa Hidalgo, 4600 S. Wood Avenue (New City)
• June 27, 2018– 11:30 pm, Chicago Public Library, 2807 W. 55th Street (Gage Park)
Here are important things to consider that are discussed at the workshops including how to qualify for senior housing:
• You must be 60 years or older to apply but can only be housed at age 62. However, if you have a disability, you can apply and be housed at age 55
• Income for 1 person cannot exceed $44,250 and $50,600 for a 2 person household
• A criminal background check of the last 3 years is required for single or double occupancy
• A studio or 1 bedroom are the only options available for senior housing
• You must only select 1 out of the 46 different senior housing locations (see here for a map listing http://www.thecha.org/residents/public-housing/find-public-housing/?pt=2)
For a complete list of available workshops in your neighborhood visit http://sc4housing.org/cha-community-alliance/ or call Spanish Coalition for Housing offices: north location (773-342-7575), south location (312-850-2660) and southeast location at 773-933-7575. Individuals who would like to apply for senior housing on their own can visit https://applyonline.thecha.org.