SEATTLE -- Construction projects are a sign of progress but for some, it brings nothing but heartache.

We're talking about new buildings that are replacing apartment buildings and forcing people out of their homes.

But don't worry -- there is help. You just have to use it.

A Monday morning fire in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood revealed a tragedy.

The Marion Apartments, set for demolition, had just one tenant left, 89-year-old Ed Jackson.

"Ed decided, 'I'm going to ride this until the end and see how long I can stay here,'" said Luis Ongpin, Jackson's former neighbor.

Jackson had lived in the same apartment for 40 years. At 6 p.m. Monday, he was going to be evicted.

"There was a letter saying they were going to demolish the building and he would have to be out. He ignored that," said Ongpin.

Just before dawn, Jackson shot and killed himself. Firefighters found him in his burning apartment stacked full of boxes, bags and papers.

Jackson's story is not unique. Edith Macefield refused to leave her home, waging a now-famous war to stay as a construction project went up around her.

Macefield lived in her house more than 40 years. She died in June at the age of 86.

In just the past two years, Seattle construction projects have forced more than 4,000 people out of their homes. Many of them are elderly.

"And for those who are more vulnerable, because they're frail, emotionally or physically, then we can refer people to case
management," said Irene Stewart, a city case manager.

City case managers work one-on-one with displaced renters to get them help. But you have to ask and be willing to accept help. Last month agencies gave Jackson more than $2,800 to help him move.

"If they don't approach us, there isn't much we can do," Stewart said.

More information:

Senior Services

Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens (Phone: 206-684-0500)