PEORIA, Ill. – South Peoria residents are less than pleased with what they say is a city proposal to build a senior living complex in their neighborhood.
There is no such plan on the City Council’s agenda Tuesday night, but a meeting was held Saturday at the Southside Community Center.
Residents claim more affordable housing for families is needed in their area, not senior living.
“It doesn’t take very much to look around and see that we’re sending the message to the southside community that you don’t matter,” said Rev. Irene Lewis-Wimbley, director, Southside Community Center, to 25 News. “And that’s a problem for me, because this is my community, these are my neighbors.”
25 News reports the move comes four years after the city council proposed more affordable family housing.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali attended the meeting, and says senior housing is just as needed, and shouldn’t cause people to be upset.
“These are apartments where people have their own independence. It is not move somebody out of their home if they want to stay in their home. It does not do that,” said Ali.
Ali says $25 million is being put toward the 108 unit project.
