Making Housing Work For Grandparents And Grandchildren

"The apartment where grandma and grandpa live may not allow children, and it probably isn't big enough to accommodate them. Few apartment buildings are set up to handle kids and older people. The kids need day care and after-school activities, and the seniors might need delivered meals or health care."

"Nationally, 4.5 million children are living in grandparent-headed households, a 30 percent increase from 1990 to 2000, according to Census figures. In Illinois, 103,717 grandparents are caring for their grandchildren. About 41,000 Chicago grandparents are doing the same."

"The idea is to create an intergenerational environment. The seniors without grandchildren can mentor them by teaching skills such as sewing and gardening. Local seniors recently surveyed said they'd like to share their know-how with young people. At the same time, seniors raising grandkids can interact with other grandparents while getting needed services for themselves and the kids."

"Cities are experimenting with different housing models for grandfamilies. New York City and Cleveland have projects under way. Chicago also has several developments in the works."