July 24, 2018

Dear City of Wilton Manors:

It is my understanding that the Pride Center at Equality Park is submitting a proposal to the City of Wilton Manors for a senior affordable and supportive housing facility that if approved, will represent Florida's first affordable housing community with customized supportive services for LGBTQ seniors. As Chief Executive Officer of Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest and most comprehensive LGBTQ community center located in , Illinois, this is incredibly welcoming news. We write to support this effort to build an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for seniors of all walks of life in your community.

It was just a few years ago, that Center on Halsted embarked on a similar journey to open Chicago’s first LGBTQ- friendly senior housing facility. After years of research and advocacy, Heartland Housing and Center on Halsted were selected by the City of Chicago to open Town Hall Apartments, the Midwest’s first LGBTQ-friendly and affordable senior housing development in 2014. Town Hall Apartments is a safe, welcoming and affordable place for seniors to call home in a community that embraces and supports everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Town Hall also features commercial space and the Senior Center, Center on Addison, built in a fully renovated and repurposed historic police station adjacent and connected to Town Hall. The restored and enhanced space allowed the Center to grow its senior programming and to serve more seniors.

Affordable housing is critical to the success of any city. Our Town Hall shows how good design, development and collaboration can fulfill a critical need while improving the surrounding neighborhood. Now, the Pride Center at Equality Park is willing and capable to take on this important task of supporting the needs of older adults 55+ in Wilton Manors while increasing diversity and inclusion in your community. The Pride Center is uniquely qualified to execute this project because many organizations and service providers that work with older adults do not have much experience with older people who are , , bisexual or . They have the experience and passion to do the job right. Also, the Pride Center’s partnership with Carrfour, Florida's largest nonprofit affordable housing developer in the development, is another positive indicator that The Residences at Equality Park are on a path to be a successful project.

I urge you to support the Pride Center’s proposal. The City of Wilton Manors will only stand to benefit, while demonstrating to the State of Florida and the country as a whole that building a diverse and inclusive community is the right thing to do for everyone.

Sincerely,

Modesto Valle Chief Executive Officer

33656 N HALSTED CHIAGO IL 60613 T. 773.472.6469