Today I got to tour Old First House, a 34-unit affordable supportive housing development for formerly homeless individuals in Old City.
Old First House, which is almost through construction, is a collaboration among Community Ventures, Depaul USA, and the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ. For years, the church had offered emergency shelter for homeless men and wanted to make a more official foray into housing people with dignity and compassion.
As the Chair of Council’s housing committee, I was so thankful to view this project! I know that supportive housing works to break the cycle of homelessness and also appreciated the beauty and care with which the development was carried out.
The design team and builders figured out how to develop critical affordable housing in one of the most desirable areas of the city and in a historic district to boot. It actually reminded me of touring affordable housing in the South End of Boston several years ago, and finding it virtually indistinguishable from the market rate units— this is what affordable housing should be and I look forward to all who will benefit from this project!