Florida’s first LGBTQ+-focused affordable housing project for seniors opens

The Residences at Equality Park, a $15.3 million affordable housing development, has recently opened in Wilton Manors, Fla. The development is Florida’s first affordable housing project with supportive services for LGBTQ+ seniors. The project provides permanent affordable housing coupled with on-site supportive services for low-income senior adults ages 55 and older living with disabling conditions such as physical illnesses or disabilities due to complications from diseases including HIV/AIDS.

The four-story apartment building comprises 48 units ranging in size from studios to two-bedroom apartments. Thirty-four of the units are reserved for residents earning 60% or less of Broward County’s Area Median Income. The remaining five units are assigned to those earning 33% or less of the Area Median Income.

The Residences at Equality Park entrance

Amenities include a fitness center, a library, and a computer room. Also featured on the greater Equality Park campus are 30,000 sf of office and meeting space for programs and services.

Miami-based Carrfour served as the project’s developer, operator, and service coordinator.

Across the country, multifamily rents have skyrocketed. Year-over-year rents are up by double digits in nine of the top 30 markets, while national YoY rent growth is up 6.3%. Emerging from the pandemic, a perfect storm of migration, enhanced government stimulus and a hot housing market, among other factors, has enabled this extremely strong growth.