November 5, 2009

Parkway Apartments is an affordable housing building, with a built in community. Operated and owned by Heartland Housing, Inc., Parkway stands as a proud model in affordable housing: well maintained, in a safe neighborhood, with a group of residents who are engaged in their community. Heartland Housing and the resident group recently received the Dr. Gregory Dell award for leadership in the community from Lakeview Action Coalition.

Federico Aguilera, property manager, seeks to build a community among the residents, engaging them in activities around the neighborhood and within the building. The bulletin board in the common area advertises neighborhood events. Resident Gregory Evans runs the building newsletter which keeps neighbors connected. The summer picnic is an opportunity to gather and get to know one another.

Residents at Parkway come from all walks of life. Some pay market rent, some have their rent subsidized. They range in ages from 20 to 75, and represent all ethnicities. Unlikely activists have emerged from among the residents, including Barbara and Bertha.

Barbara has lived at Parkway Apartments for over 6 years. She works on the resident newsletter and enjoys her neighbors, "There are people who will lend a hand, just because they are neighbors." Barbara has also been involved with healthcare reform advocacy. "I'm one of the people who would fall through the slots without health care legislation." She's visited with aldermen, met with individual representatives from area hospitals, and attended a summit meeting of hospital CEO's. "I feel very thankful to have been given the Dr. Gregory Dell award. It stands for conviction, dedication and commitment."

Bertha has lived at Parkway Apartments for almost 9 years. At 71, she's a soft spoken woman, but passionate about health care reform. "I'm on Medicare, so health care is important to me. I want to see everyone be able to get health care." Bertha's activism started by helping to register voters in the hallway at Parkway. After attending a community meeting on health care reform, and looking around the room, she "felt like people were going to get involved and do something. All you have to do is say what's on your mind."

Learn more about Parkway Apartments

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