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HODC developed this building in collaboration with the nonprofit organization WilPower. WilPower is a social service organization located in Northfield that provides housing and services for adults coping with mental illness. In June 2001, HODC and WilPower combined forces to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for Supportive Housing Program funds. The building’s four-bedroom units are very large, each containing a spacious living room, full dining area, and eat-in kitchen. HODC and WilPower began rehab in January 2003. Rehab included installing a new kitchen on the first floor, replacing flooring throughout the building, and renovating the basement to include office space for WilPower staff. The building is now home to eight WilPower clients. HUD provides funding for supportive services and 24-hour case management staff.


HODC partnered with Turnstone Development Corporation, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, to acquire and preserve this existing affordable building. The property had an expired rental assistance contract from HUD and was put on the market by the owner. The Village of Morton Grove supported preserving the building as affordable senior housing and provided bond cap to finance the mortgage. HODC took over management upon acquisition in August 2003. The building provides homes for 56 low-income senior citizen households, many of whom moved in to the building when it was originally constructed in 1980. Since the building has project-based rental assistance, tenants pay just one-third of their income towards rent with the remainder covered by HUD. HODC provides flexible management services so that tenants can continue to live independently and with dignity. Rehab included replacing the building's roof, kitchens and windows. Additionally, the community room was reconfigured to make it more spacious and the building manager's office moved adjacent to the lobby to improve visibility and safety.  An on-site Service Coordinator enhances lives by providing weekly programming and monthly special events.

 

Hyacinth Place was developed through a partnership with Brinshore Development LLC, the Highland Park Illinois Community Land Trust, the City of Highland and HODC.  It consists of fourteen architecturally-sensitive, sustainably-designed dwelling units including ten 1,600 square foot townhomes with attached garages and four 1,200 square foot apartment flats.  All units have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  The 10 homeownership units were sold at attainable prices for low and moderate income households in Highland Park.  Sales prices were initially $149,000 to $219,000.  The 4 rental units were targeted to households whose income is less than 60% AMI.  Preference is given to Highland Park residents and employees including teachers, nurses, civil servants, policemen, firemen, and retail employees.  Financing came from a mix of grants and soft financing to write down the cost to buyers.

Hyacinth Place is a model for affordable green housing.  The development includes geo-thermal heating and cooling systems, wind turbine energy generation for common areas, permeable courtyard paving, Energy Star appliances, renewable bamboo flooring, non-toxic paints and stains and the use of native plants.
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