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Assisted Living Los Angeles
QUESTION: The nation's first low-cost housing development aimed specifically at gay,
lesbian and transgender retirees opened its doors in Hollywood on Thursday
with a promise to provide a dignified haven for elderly homosexuals to live
out their days.
Calling it a historic day for the gay and lesbian community in both Los
Angeles and the United States, officials opened the 104-unit affordable
housing complex, built around a pool and open courtyard and complete with an
activity center and disabled facilities.
About a third of the units will be set aside for low-income older Americans
with HIV/AIDS, those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
"All parties went into this development with the belief that regardless of a
senior's income, race or sexual preference they are entitled to live in a
decent, safe and friendly living environment," said Tony Salazar of
developers McCormack Baron Salazar.
According to a recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles,
the city has a gay population of 442,000 -- the second highest in the United
States after New York. West Hollywood has a 40 percent gay or lesbian
population, making it one of the largest gay scenes in the world.
Yet even in Los Angeles, gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender adults face
daunting challenges in what can often be a lonely and isolated old age, the
nonprofit Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing group said.
Same-sex partners cannot share a room in most elderly care facilities and
gays often face prejudice and lack the family support systems enjoyed by
their heterosexual counterparts.
Some are forced to hide their sexual orientation when they enter assisted
living facilities after years of living openly as gays.
"I had a friend who got diabetes and went into a retirement home and at the
age of 85 he was back in the closet. It was awful," said prospective tenant
John Richards, 70. "It would be wonderful if there were more places like
this."
Funding for the $20.8 million Triangle Square development came from
California state and Los Angeles city agencies.
"The market is there, the need is there. This is the first one in the
nation," said Mercedes Marquez, general manager of Los Angeles city housing
department.
Los Angeles city councilman Bill Rosendahl said that as America's first
waves of openly gay activists get older, more places like Triangle Square
would be needed.
ANSWER: Yes but it is unlikely more places will be built. Real estate
exploitation by the rich and upwardly mobile, will make such small
attempts by government be a rare happening.
I have often thouth of my own situation and were it not for the fact
that I have some small amount of property, I can go to and live on, I
had planned on making life's end a spectacular suicidal event.
There was always the old step out in front of a bus event, or jump off
the Golden Gate at rush hour. 86 myself in front of an elementary
school. I am sure I can think of a whole list of spectacular ways, but
do to the fact I'd probably still have somewhere to go, that kills that
show.
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