In an attempt to find money for a public library on the far north side of Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority is tracking down financing for a building at 6800 N. Western Ave. that will contain a Chicago Public Library branch on the first floor, with the second floor being occupied by low-income senior citizens. The 16,000-square-foot building will have two or three stories, and offer 30 one-bedroom apartments. The library and housing would have two separate entrances.

The project would be the first of its kind in the United States. Eugene Jones of the Chicago Housing Authority said he’s hoping to secure financing by winter 2018, with groundbreaking taking place that spring, and opening during the winter of 2019.

The Western Avenue library branch is one of three housing developments with co-located libraries planned for the Chicago area.

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