On Thursday, the City of San Francisco’s Planning Commission voted unanimously to accept several design changes to an in-the-works housing project for LGBT seniors.
The commission originally approved funding for 55 Laguna four years ago, but progress has been stalled by the economy. It met last week to discuss changes raised by concerns from neighbors and historic preservationists.
Billed as the largest development for LGBT low-income seniors in America, 55 Laguna in Hayes Valley will set aside 110 units for those over 55, and also offer 330 multi-family apartments, a community center, garden and public park, all spread over 5.8 acres.
“A system in which LGBT older adults retreat to the closet, return to the shadows and are no longer fully integrated into the larger social fabric of San Francisco is intolerable,” says Seth Kilbourn, Executive Director of Openhouse, which is developing the project with Mercy Housing California. ” That is why LGBT-welcoming housing for older adults is so important.”
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Construction on the senior units is expected to begin in 2014.
ESA
Yes! This is a very real part of life that so many of us in our twenties and thirties completely ignore. I hope they do well and aren’t bogged down by any issues in their construction dates again. Amid politics and pretty people, there are many very real issues that we face that just aren’t discussed in great detail because it’s not sparkly or shiny enough to make it to the front pages, but like a friend of mine once said, “Ain’t none of us gettin’ outta here alive.” Start thinking about your retirement and old age now, kiddies. You might just live long enough to have to deal with it.
Larkin
I’d love to live in an affordable gay-centric housing development.
Olive Austin
Me three!
Sere
There is no such thing as “LGBT seniors.” It makes sense that lesbian, gay and bisexual seniors might want to live in common housing as they all share a bond based on sexual orientation. But there is absolutely no logical reason why LGB seniors would need or want to be housed with “transgender” seniors, most of whom are heterosexual. Gays have little in common with transgenders and it is only the cult of “LGBT” that keeps forcing the two discrete groups together.
sanfranca1
I live in San Francisco – doubt these units will be very affordable.