• Innovative Housing

    New Homes for Chicago

    award_winning-page-001The New Homes for Chicago program is one example of innovation and partnership. MHDC, in collaboration with the City of Chicago, private homebuilders, and community housing organizations, developed a program to build infill housing on publicly owned land. Each project included innovative financing, quality construction, and a partnership of private and public agencies committed to improving the quality of life within the community.

    All of the homes are three-bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2-story units designed for lots as narrow as 22 feet. One unit is designed for the handicapped with a bedroom on the first floor. All other units have bedrooms and full baths on the second floor.

    The New Homes for Chicago program provides homeownership opportunities to lo-and moderate-income families in Chicago. It revitalizes and stabilizes inner-city neighborhoods by encouraging the construction of moderately priced single-family homes throughout Chicago. This example of innovation and partnership is the principle that guides MHDC as it looks forward to its next thirty-two years of service.

    The North Lawndale Project consists of 20 single-family homes built in collaboration with the Neighborhood Housing services (NHS). Lexington Homes was the builder for this project.

    Tha Pilsen Project consists of 20 single-family homes built in collaboration with the Pilsen Resurrection Project. All 20 homes were pre-sold in a lottery. Lexington Homes was the builder for this project.

    The South Austin Project consists of 40 single-family homes built in collaboration with South Austin Coalition Community Council, the Neighborhood Institute, and City Lands. Shaw Development Company was the builder for this project.

    Victory Senior Centre

    The Victory Senior Centre, located in Joliet, Illinois is a joint project of MHDC-Joliet, a not-for-profit, community housing development organization incorporated by MHDC and Associated Ventures, LLC, a for-profit senior housing developer. This unique and innovative project combines the provision of high-quality affordable housing for seniors with the adaptive reuse of the historic Joliet Catholic High School.

    The Victory Senior Centre consists of 56 apartments for independent seniors, who are housed in a service-enriched environment. Senior Services of Will County operates a nutrition center at the Victory Senior Centre. This service provides residents throughout the community with a hot meal for nominal donation, or at no cost at all. Residents enjoy access to Homemaker Services, Senior Companion Services, Transportation and Health Screening Services, and there is even an operating beauty salon on site.

    The assisted living units are part of a pilot program for the Illinois Department of Public Aid. This program combines federal and state funding sources to provide assisted living services to low- and very-low income seniors. This assisted living facility allows seniors to maintain greater independence while providing the help they need with the activities of daily living.