Housing is a human right. We asked CSI members what affordable housing means to them. Here‘s Thursday’s testimonial post: “Without affordable housing, I would not be able to afford a regular apartment and I would be homeless. I actually was homeless from April to June of this year. Since moving here I was able to get my much needed medical devices out of storage to start using them again.” “I live with human dignity inside of the wonderful family, while I am aging at my co-op!” “We were living at the (mission) at night and on the streets at a drop-in center during the day. Not much of a life. We now have a roof over our heads and a stable place to live at a (cost) we can afford. We no longer have to wake up at 5am to be out of the mission (and on the street) at 6am.” “My aunt is homeless in NC and has to park her car in a Walmart parking lot every night so she can sleep safely.” “My service coordinator has helped me get my groceries delivered and got me connected to a senior program that has helped me with a chore provider. Thank you for helping low-income seniors maintain their housing.” “I moved here on December 1, 2021 after having lived in a ‘meth house’ for six years. I was always sick and having to stay in my room but having to inhale the smoke from the meth. Since I have moved into this clean and orderly apartment, I find myself so much more calm….Since I moved here, I am not longer stressed and I finally feel safe…I have more hope for my future now, because I reside in a safe and clean environment where I can live peacefully the rest of my life.” “Today, I pay 30% of my income as rent as opposed to the almost 70% (before) I moved into the co-op…Our co-op system and its emphasis on volunteerism has been has been a source of health advantages for me….The value of service coordination within our co-op is another issue that is worthy of your attention. On-site COVID testing, shots, and boosters were invaluable when face-to-face contact with medical personnel was problematic. I suspect lives were saved in our building.” “I have been a resident here for just over 2 years and it is my sincere belief that (my co-op) and its many wonderful members saved my life…This was an apartment at first, but I have been fortunate to turn it into the home it is now. That home conquered several years of homelessness and the associated major depression. I am a better, happier person than I had been prior to July 2021.” CSI’s Mission: Using cooperative principles, CSI develops and manages exceptional, affordable rental communities where seniors enjoy opportunities to thrive. On behalf of CSI staff, we want to let our members know that YOU are why we love our jobs. Thank you for sharing your stories and for reminding us that OUR WORK MATTERS. 🩵🧡💚 Humbly yours, Anne Sackrison, CEO (fb)

Wednesday’s Testimonials: We asked our members what affordable housing means to them. Here are some of their personal stories. “Being elderly, I did not want to be a burden on my family…The advantages of living in senior co-ops are multiple. All the conveniences shelter elders who have mobility problems…. convenient transportation…by the city metro system. We have service coordinators who link us with resources and continuing education to promote healthy living and education about end-of-life needs. Their involvement…helps to forestall the need for skilled nursing care and its financial burden on the State of Michigan….the freedom from financial burdens gives me a sense of purpose, allowing me to utilize my life skills…My job has been to promote harmony on our floor and represent other members as a (resident) council member and as newsletter editor. Relationship promoting skills in our co-op carry over into the greater society.” “Six years ago, I lost my husband. When a spouse passes away, their social security check stops. I was trying to make ends meet on my social security alone and my savings were being depleted. I needed to do something…I will be here four years in March. The apartment is adequate for me, not a lot of frills, but safe, comfortable and a place to affordably live…At full capacity, this building alone gives housing to 200 people…we are counting on you.” “The service coordinators have helped me on several occasions. I had a problem with my health insurance and she put me in touch with the right people. The service coordinators have provided some programs that were very informative to me as a senior.” “Service coordination has helped me navigate the ocean of paperwork from the State and HUD. The programs here increased my knowledge of mental health and food issues.” “I was homeless for three months when the apartment complex called….if not for affordable housing, I would probably not be on this earth, as I am disabled and 71. My apartment is my castle and I am proud of it. If our rent increased, I would have to choose between having a home and eating. You decide.” “With the huge decline in the real estate market, the value of my house dropped to such a level that it was impossible to rent or sell at a price that would cover the mortgage, and I eventually lost my home. I floated around for years, staying with family and friends as long as I could, trying to be of some service to them. When my options ran out as they inevitably do…subsidized housing was my only path…It would be a disaster to myself and untold numbers of vulnerable, disabled and elderly folks if housing such as this was not available.” “My service coordinator has helped me find resources to help pay for medication for my Multiple Sclerosis. That medicine I take has a co-pay of over $1200/month. My service coordinator scoured the internet looking for entities to help pay for it. My service coordinator calls me every now and then just to check to see if I am doing okay. It makes me feel good that someone cares enough to place that phone call….If I wouldn’t have housing assistance, I wouldn’t be independent….I would be living with my son and his girlfriend…Being on a fixed income is very hard to make ends meet.” Thank you to these members who shared their experiences. 💙🧡💚 (fb)