130 Years of Community, Care, and Connection

At a time when affordable housing and senior health inequities are at crisis levels in Chicago and across the country, Embrace Living Communities is celebrating a remarkable milestone — 130 years of providing affordable, supportive homes for older adults and people with disabilities.

For more than a century, our mission has been rooted in one simple belief: everyone deserves a safe, welcoming place to call home.

Today, Embrace Living owns and operates 29 affordable housing communities across Illinois, Florida, and Missouri — including 24 in the greater Chicago region — serving ~2,500 residents. Most of our residents live on fixed incomes and face challenges related to housing insecurity, chronic health conditions, or limited access to care.

“Our communities have two to five-year waiting lists showing us that the need for affordable housing is at a high. Many low-income seniors and people with disabilities are forced to choose between paying rent and managing their health” said Alina Serban, Chief of Staff at Embrace Living Communities.

A Legacy Rooted in Community

Founded in 1895 by pastors seeking to serve vulnerable children and elderly people in Northern Illinois, the organization expanded over decades into foster care and youth services before opening its first senior living community, Castle Towers in Bensenville, in 1980. By 2016, Embrace Living Communities had rebranded to reflect its growing focus on aging adults and people with disabilities, pairing affordable housing with on-site social service coordinators who connect residents to food, transportation, and healthcare resources.

Today, the organization is recognized as a model for sustainable, high-quality affordable housing. Through property management services, green energy initiatives, and partnerships with hospitals, universities, and community organizations, Embrace Living extends its impact beyond its own walls to strengthen communities across Illinois, Missouri, and Florida.

Resident Voices and Local Impact

For thousands of residents, Embrace Living Communities represents more than housing—it represents stability, safety, and dignity. Across Chicago’s neighborhoods, the organization’s communities anchor older adults and people with disabilities who are often left out of larger policy conversations about housing, health, and equity. By pairing affordable rent with on-site social services, Embrace Living helps residents remain connected to their communities, avoid costly institutional care, and live with independence and purpose.

Looking Ahead: A Message from Leadership

Embrace Living Communities is proud to celebrate our 130th anniversary of serving 2,500 residents across 29 communities.

Starting with one location to serve actively aging adults, we continue to advocate for seniors and provide affordable homes allowing them to thrive. Our success is directly correlated to the passionate, dedicated professionals that serve our residents every day. They are the driving force of our success, and the reason Embrace is widely recognized as the leader in senior affordable housing.

As we celebrate 130 years, we look forward to our bright future of expanding our reach to serve even more seniors in more locations. We will continue to invest in our locations, services, and team as part of our commitment to our values of advocacy, respect, and family.

Thank you to the residents, our team, and the communities we serve for your support and for being part of our 130 years of success providing welcoming homes to seniors.

Cheers,

Scott Meyer, Chairman of the Board of Directors