Membership Newsletter January 2013 | NCRC Member Story: Northwest Side Housing Center’s Commitment to Older Adults
The Northwest Side Housing Center (NSSHC) has been organizing at the Montclare Residences since 2008. In 2010, the NWSHC helped form the Montclare Steering Committee, a group of older adult residents who come together and meet monthly around issues facing the building residents. In 2012, Montclare residents have been able to work with management and building owners to win new fitness equipment, new washing machines, and new dryers.
A major issue for the past several years has been the lack of a sidewalk on Belden Avenue, where the building is located. As a result, older adult residents have been forced to walk in the street. After trying unsuccessfully for years to obtain a sidewalk, the NWSHC organized a meeting this past summer with 36th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato and the Chicago Department of Transportation. At the meeting, the Montclare Steering Committee finally won the support and funding necessary for a sidewalk. On November 28, 2012, the NWSHC, Montclare Steering Committee, 36th Ward Alderman Sposato, and Montclare Residences’ owner Colin Regan held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new sidewalk. “It was just the right thing to do for the Montclare residents,” said Alderman Sposato at the ceremony.
After over 11 years, “the residents will no longer have to walk on the street – now they have a safe sidewalk to walk on,” said Loretta Cordova, Montclare Residences Steering Committee Co-Convenor.
NCRC congratulates the Northwest Side Housing Center on this victory.
