Milwaukee Avenue Apartments Grand Opening
Elected Officials, Residents Celebrate the Grand Opening of Milwaukee Avenue Apartments
CHICAGO, IL – In ceremonies on Friday morning, July 1, Senator Mark Kirk’s office, State Senator Iris Martinez, State Representative Jaime Andrade, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the City of Chicago and local residents and civic organizations joined Full Circle Communities, Inc. in celebrating the grand opening of the Milwaukee Avenue Apartments.
Speaking on behalf of the developer, Joshua Wilmoth, Full Circle’s President of Real Estate Development, said: “This celebration honors the many elected officials and financial and community partners who helped make this building a reality. Our partners and the Avondale community have been tremendously supportive of this development that truly is a home for differently abled individuals and their families.”
The development, located at 3064 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, consists of 32 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all designed for persons with disabilities, and includes an on-site management and service offices, a library, computer room, community room and resident garden. Each unit is designed for maximum livability, with cabinets and countertops that are adjustable, roll-in showers, adjustable closet organizers, and audio-visual entry and alert devices.
“Home assistance programs are a high priority in the City of Chicago. Working with Full Circle Communities has been a great experience; they were able to provide housing with a special needs component and create a wonderful community.”
The $9.8 million development project was made possible through Low Income Housing Tax Credits issued by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), and purchased by National Equity Fund, Inc.; a Permanent Supportive Housing Grant from IHDA, City of Chicago TIF Funds, an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity green-design grant, and developer equity. Construction financing was provided by Bank of America.
“Access to affordable housing can be a major obstacle for individuals that are mobility and sensory impaired,” said Representative Jaime Andrade (IL-40th). “I would like to thank Full Circle Communities for making our neighborhood more inclusive to disabled residents for years to come.”
The development received support and resident referrals from local organizations including Center for Changing Lives, Northwest Side Housing Center, Hands to Help Ministries, Irving Park Lutheran Church, St. Viator Parish, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, Avondale Neighborhood Association, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Latin United Community Housing Association, Thresholds, the Illinois State Referral Network, and Over the Rainbow Association, who will also be providing on-site tenant services. All units are affordable to persons earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income, with rental assistance for 22 of the units coming from the owner, the Chicago Housing Authority, and IHDA.
“The Milwaukee Avenue Apartments offer residents more than a roof and four walls, but the opportunity to live as independently as possible in the community of their choice,” IHDA’s Multifamily Financing Director Christine Moran said. “IHDA is proud to be a part of this public-private partnership that came together to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Chicago.”
Senator Iris Martinez (IL-20th) said “Having affordable, accessible housing is important for any community. I am grateful to represent the Milwaukee Avenue Apartments and its residents.”
Full Circle is a Chicagoland philanthropic non-profit with the mission of expanding access to affordable housing through preservation and development, thoughtful design, and the provision of significant and contextual services. Full Circle dedicates 75% of their project cash flow to providing services for their residents. Earlier this year they were the first organization to preserve an SRO under the City of Chicago’s SRO ordinance, and they have recently broken ground on a 25-unit senior development in Richmond, IL. More information: www.fccommunities.org
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