Chicago, IL (August 13, 2007) — The Moody Bible Institute and Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC) are pleased to announce the finalization of a plan that secures additional subsidized housing for senior citizens in the Near North area.

The two groups began discussions with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) last year after JASC raised concerns about Moody Bible Institute’s conversion of apartments in Jenkins Hall (formerly Morningside South Apartments) from Section 8 government-subsidized units to student housing units as Section 8 residents vacated their units.  In 1994, Moody entered into a contract with IHDA permitting Moody to transition the building from Section 8 housing to student housing, and Moody began the gradual transition in 1999.

Under a plan approved by HUD and IHDA, Moody has agreed to preserve 90 Section 8 apartments in the Jenkins Hall building through 2018, and 110 government-subsidized units have been established in the Maple Pointe Apartments, located just two blocks north at 150 West Maple Street.  The Maple Pointe units will be subsidized through 2018, with the possibility of a renewal of the subsidy through 2033.  As part of the plan, the senior tenants in Jenkins Hall were also provided the option of relocating to Maple Pointe at no cost, and a handful of tenants chose to do so.  In the near future, both properties will start waiting lists for eligible individuals interested in living at Jenkins Hall or Maple Pointe.  Upon finalization of this plan, JASC voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit it filed in September 2006.

“We are pleased with the outcome and are thankful that the needs of the seniors, represented by the Caucus, and the needs of Moody’s students have both been met,” said Bob Gunter, General Counsel of Moody Bible Institute.

"This agreement provides options for the seniors in Jenkins Hall and more opportunities for other seniors in the area,” said Kate Walz, Senior Attorney with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, which represented JASC. “It is a win-win situation for the seniors and Moody.”

Maple Pointe was generous both in the relocation package it offered as an incentive for elderly tenants to relocate from Jenkins Hall and in making over 100 units available for elderly tenants for years to come. 

Similar situations would have resulted in years of multi-party litigation; however, with HUD’s and IHDA’s full cooperation, this unusual and complex deal was completed in just a few months.  We are thankful for the outcome.