MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – On Thursday, community members gathered with music, food, and speeches to celebrate the groundbreaking of Park Lofts, a new affordable housing project in Madison aimed at supporting young adults aging out of foster care.
Park Lofts, a 44-unit development at 1202 S. Park Street, will reserve a quarter of its apartments for youth leaving foster care or at risk of homelessness. The remaining units will be available to households earning no more than 60% of the Dane County median income.
Julian Walters, a Madison native and president of Eminent Development Corporation, is leading the project — his first as a developer. For Walters, who spent his first months in the foster care system and whose family was supported through services like those planned for Park Lofts, the project is deeply personal.
“And my mom, through resources like what we’re providing — services that JustDane provided — was able to get her family back together and stabilize and grow us. And because of all of that, I’m here today,” Walters said…