New Affordable Housing for Veterans in Chicago Heights
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill., Sept 9, 2024. — The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), in collaboration with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 13, 2024 to celebrate the Otto Veterans Square, an affordable housing development for veterans located in downtown Chicago Heights, Illinois.
The Otto Veterans Square is an 82-unit, four-story development located at 1440 Otto Boulevard on the former site of St. James Hospital. The $30 million development includes modern, thoughtfully designed apartments that offer residents safe and comfortable housing tailored to the needs of veterans.
“This is truly a beautiful building designed by HED and partners that our veterans can be proud to call their home,” said Danita W. Childers, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Cook County. “This is a standing reflection of our commitment to address veteran homelessness in the community and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Chicago Heights.”
The property represents the first new development to emerge from the Downtown/East Side Choice Neighborhoods Plan, which was jointly developed by the City of Chicago Heights and Housing Authority of Cook County and funded by a $350,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Housing Authority of Cook County collaborated with several partners to secure financing, with resources from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the National Equity Fund (NEF), BMO, Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Wintrust Bank and funding provided through the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.
“Every veteran deserves a home, and this new development will help us move a step closer to achieving our goal of making sure every veteran in Cook County is provided with access to decent, safe and affordable housing,” said President Preckwinkle. “I applaud the Housing Authority of Cook County, the City of Chicago Heights and their partners for lifting this project off the ground.”
On September 13, 2024 registered guests will be invited to tour the property with the design team from Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) after the ceremony. Otto Veterans Square residents have access to several amenities including an exercise room, media room, walking paths, and raised planting beds for community gardens. The property is pet-friendly, with designated spaces for service animals both indoors and outdoors. The building offers parking for 82 cars, including spaces for handicap and electric vehicles.
Registration is required for all guests. Please use the online form to register in advance.
About HACC
The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) is the second largest public housing authority in Illinois. Established in 1946, the Housing Authority of Cook County is a municipal corporation whose jurisdiction spans 108 communities.
Media Contact: PJ McGuire or Jared L. Kelly | Office Phone 773-891-2725 | [email protected]