Centro Civico Mexicano, Utah’s oldest nonprofit Hispanic organization, this fall opened a new affordable housing complex for older adults in Salt Lake City.
The Casa Milagros apartment complex, on the west side of the city, is for people aged 62 and up. Eighty percent of the units are for low-income individuals, and the rent ranges from $285 to $780, depending on the size of the unit.
Brandy Farmer, president of Centro Civico Mexicano, said the housing development has been a long time coming.
“It was dreamed up about 10 or 15 years ago, to build affordable housing because our baby boomers were getting older,” Farmer said. “And [the board members] felt that they could provide housing.”
The housing is the first part of a larger project being undertaken by Centro Civico Mexicano. Farmer said the next phase will be an adjacent community center, where residents can take classes and connect with young people at afterschool programs once the coronavirus pandemic is over.
Afton January, communications manager for Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services, said affordable housing is out of reach for many who need it, but it can be even harder to come by when you’re a senior on a tight budget.
“Your income may end up being limited just to Social Security or maybe a modest pension,” January said. “And of course, remember, a lot of folks lost retirement savings that they had during our housing market crash about 10 years ago.”
The units in Centro Civico Mexicano’s are open to all older adults who meet the criteria, but Farmer especially encourages people from the Latino community to apply.
The project was supported by Salt Lake City municipal funding.
January said she’s excited to see a community organization stepping up to provide affordable housing and she hopes Centro Civico Mexicano’s project serves as a model for other organizations.
