CRETE–(ENEWSPF)–October 5, 2010. Forty-five new affordable apartments for independent seniors officially opened today in south suburban Crete, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced. An estimated 68 jobs were created with the construction of St. James Senior Estates II.
IHDA invested nearly $7 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), federal HOME loan and Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit funds on behalf of the administration of Governor Pat Quinn. The new apartments, developed by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Service Corp., will complement the existing 40-unit St. James Senior Estates apartments for independent seniors that IHDA also financed.
“Federal stimulus dollars are enabling affordable housing developments, such as St. James Senior Estates II, to be built across Illinois,” said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director. “We are proud to play a key role in making sure seniors in the Crete community have quality rental homes that fit into their budgets.”
Federal housing tax credits available through the state are the chief financing tool available for developers to build affordable housing. ARRA stimulus funds created the financial incentive to spur construction on Illinois affordable housing developments that were stalled due to the collapse of the federal tax credit market. The funds provided financing options to developers to help rebuild Illinois’ economy and put affordable housing developments back on track. To date, IHDA has invested federal stimulus funds to jumpstart construction on nearly 2,500 affordable rental homes statewide, creating an estimated 3,000 jobs in Illinois.
“We thank IHDA for providing the financing that made it possible to build these apartments for seniors, and create much-needed affordable housing in this community,” said Karen Miller, Corporate Director of Affordable Housing, Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Service Corp.
St. James Senior Estates II, 3660 Eagle Nest Drive, includes 21 two-bedroom and 24 one-bedroom units. The development features a club room and a fitness center to allow residents to maintain an active lifestyle.
Monthly rent ranges between $355 and $865 for the affordable units, depending on resident income and apartment size. Residents must be at or below 60 percent of the area median income, or $31,560 for a one-person household under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. For additional information, contact Angelina Bey-Lucas at (708) 367-0870.
Source: illinois.gov
