Housing Forward Announces New Residential Project in Broadview

Housing Forward announced on May 26, 2021 the launch of a new construction project which will create 16 units of permanent supportive housing to serve individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a long-term disabling condition. The $7.1 million project and annual operating support will be paid for by a mix of state, federal, and private funding awarded from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Cook County Department of Planning, and the Housing Authority of Cook County. The project is also supported by a predevelopment loan from the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and a capital loan from IFF.

The residential building will house up to 22 people and includes dedicated units for Veterans and youth aging out of DCFS care. On April 5, the Broadview Board of Trustees granted the non-profit zoning approval to build a mixed-use development on vacant land at 1014-1020 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Broadview, previously owned by the Broadview - Westchester Joint Water Agency. The ground breaking is anticipated for Fall 2021.

Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based intervention that links permanent affordable housing with flexible, voluntary support services to assist with housing retention and independent living. Housing Forward has been providing permanent supportive housing since 2006 and today has over 210 scattered site units across the agency’s 25-community service-area footprint. Permanent Supportive housing is essential for ending homelessness for those with long-term disabling conditions.

“Broadview prides itself on being an inclusive community and we are thrilled to welcome this permanent supportive housing project,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson. “This is a new project for the village, but the circumstances are not different. More and more individuals and families are living paycheck to paycheck. This project will provide the necessary assistance to provide stability and keep families together, which so important and why I’m lending my support.”

This project marks the nonprofit’s first venture into developing and owning a site-based residential building. The three-story mixed-use development will include four two-bedroom units for families and 12 one-bedroom units for individuals, with additional common space for tenants. Four of the units will be handicapped accessible and one will be designed to accommodate sensory, hearing, and visually impaired individuals. The property will also include a patio for clients and is accessible to public transportation and area amenities. 

Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward’s executive director, said, “We’re thrilled our first permanent supportive housing development is in Broadview. Mayor Katrina Thompson has been very welcoming and supportive of the development. Our future residents will have a supportive living environment where they can thrive.  We have created interior and exterior common areas where people can interact and build a sense of community.” The project will offer onsite support services that will address residents’ needs and support their transition from housing crisis to stability. Housing Forward will partner with Youth Outreach Services and Amita Health to provide individualized services that address residents needs and help them to achieve their goals.

The development team includes Lightengale Group, an affordable housing financial consulting firm, and pro bono architectural services from Perkins&Will, an award-winning, Chicago-based architectural firm, and pro bono legal counsel from Jenner & Block and Georges and Synowiecki, Ltd.  Ujamaa Construction, a premier Chicago-based minority-owned firm, will complete the project construction. 

 “This project marks an exciting and important step in Housing Forward’s commitment to addressing the complex needs of individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and housing crisis,” said Heidi Vance, the organization’s incoming board chair. “The development is our first building and demonstrates the evolution of our organization as we work to end homelessness in west suburban Cook County.”  

Housing Forward was founded in 1992 by a group of congregations and lay people to provide emergency shelter services for those experiencing homelessness in the communities of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. The organization’s mission has since evolved from simply responding to the symptoms of homelessness to providing a wide range of permanent solutions to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of homelessness. 

Today, Housing Forward is a recognized leader in suburban Cook County offering a coordinated response for people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. The organization offers comprehensive, wrap-around support from the onset of a financial or housing crisis to its resolution, preventing homelessness whenever possible, and providing permanent, stable housing for the most vulnerable members of our community.  

For a closer look at the architectural renderings and more details about the project click here. 

Above: Rendering of Housing Forward's Permanent Supportive Housing Project, Roosevelt Rd. & 11th Ave., Broadview   Image: Perkins&Will