{"id":9953,"date":"2023-12-21T08:19:59","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T14:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jla-ap.com\/?p=9953"},"modified":"2023-12-21T09:06:19","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T15:06:19","slug":"an-interview-with-jfs-housings-dan-fleischman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jla-ap.com\/an-interview-with-jfs-housings-dan-fleischman\/","title":{"rendered":"An Interview with JFS Housing’s Dan Fleischman"},"content":{"rendered":"
Since 1867, Jewish Family Services (JFS) has been providing social services to the Milwaukee Community. Over the last 15 years, they\u2019ve recognized the community\u2019s need for affordable housing by developing multiple communities for low- and moderate-income individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n We sat down with JFS\u2019 Vice President of Housing and Residential Services Dan Fleischman to learn more about their journey into affordable housing, lessons they\u2019ve learned, and their latest project Woodale Crossing.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q: What prompted JFS to get involved in affordable housing development?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: “Milwaukee, like many other cities in the US, has an affordable housing crisis. But the decision of JFS to venture into housing had as much to do with our direct experience with vulnerable populations as it did with any data on affordable housing. JFS case managers would go out to conduct home visits and find that their clients were living in substandard housing. JFS therapists in our mental health clinic would hear about the toll of housing instability on clients\u2019 wellbeing.<\/p>\n More and more frequently, our staff would hear about people simply being priced out of decent housing \u2013 not because Milwaukee is a hot housing market like New York or San Francisco, but because the housing stock that is available to low-income renters in Milwaukee is frequently in poor condition and overpriced.”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q: Tell us more about those early days.<\/strong><\/p>\n A: “JFS started exploring housing development around 2007 under the leadership of then-CEO Sylvan Leabman and a dedicated Board of Directors. Since our founding in 1867, JFS has always adapted to meet community needs. We started out working to assist impoverished Jewish immigrants who were moving to Milwaukee. We then branched out to an array of services, including, at various times, an orphanage, vocational services, and outpatient medical care. Over the course of many years, we focused our efforts on core services related to mental health, case management, and other social services.<\/p>\n When we decided to develop affordable housing, we wanted to address the needs of not only the general community, but those of the specific populations that we have long served: seniors, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health disorders, and families with children. A growing body of research demonstrates the impact affordable housing has on these populations\u2019 health, economic mobility, stress \u2013 even school performance. We engaged General Capital<\/a>, a highly regarded real estate firm based in Fox Point, to help develop two phases of Deerwood Crossing Senior Residences<\/a>, and two phases of Bradley Crossing Supportive Housing Community<\/a>.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Q: What were your goals for those first communities?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n A: “From the beginning, our motivations were different from the motivations of most housing developers, and even most affordable housing developers. We knew that some of our residents faced challenges, had experienced housing instability, and needed support; so, we embedded supportive services and a mental health clinic on site. We knew that persons with disabilities experience discrimination, and have, at times, been housed in settings that have been more restrictive than necessary; so, we created integrated housing, where people with and without disabilities can live in a community and learn from each other.<\/p>\n