Construction Kicks Off for New Affordable, Barrier-Free Housing in Cook County

MATTESON - The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) joined Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Village President Sheila Chalmers-Currin, the Over the Rainbow Association and other stakeholders to celebrate the groundbreaking of Mustacchi Manor, a new supportive housing development for persons with physical disabilities. Funded in part by IHDA's Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program, the 16-unit development will be part of a three-building campus on 10 acres of land featuring 81 apartments. All three developments are affordable and designed to help those with physical disabilities direct their own care and live independently in a residential community as opposed to an institutional setting.

"Residents with special needs often face the greatest barriers to finding and maintaining stable housing, and Mustacchi Manor will go a long way to meet a critical need for permanent supportive housing in Cook County," IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust said. "This milestone shows what is what is possible when government works hand in hand with residents, nonprofits, and the private sector to make positive changes that will improve quality of life in the Village. IHDA is proud to have worked with our partners as they advocated for a range of housing choices in the Matteson."

Developed by the Over the Rainbow Association, Mustacchi Manor was financed by loans and grants awarded by IHDA from the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the National Housing Trust Fund. The development brings much-needed supportive housing options to the south suburbs where an unmet demand for barrier-free rental housing has led to long wait lists and low resident turnover in similar properties.

When complete, the building will provide affordable rents, accessible design and individualized supportive services designed to encourage independent living. In-unit features include roll-in showers, pull-under sinks, accessible appliances and lower switches, outlets, windows, and door handles. Every apartment will feature one-bedroom/one-bathroom and will be reserved for households earning no more than 30 percent of the Area Median Income ($20,610 for a one-person household in Cook County). Thirteen units will be subsidized by rental assistance from the Housing Authority of Cook County with the remaining three supported by the state's Long-Term Operating Support Program, ensuring residents pay no more than 30 percent of their income towards rent.

For more information on leasing and application status, contact the Over the Rainbow Association at info@otrhousing.org.

About the Illinois Housing Development Authority
IHDA (www.ihda.org) is a self-supporting state agency that finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing across Illinois. Since its creation in 1967, IHDA has allocated $18 billion and financed approximately 255,000 affordable housing units for residents of Illinois.