New Supportive Housing Development Celebrates Grand Opening in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD – Built as a result of Illinois Jobs Now! state capital funding, a new Springfield development is opening its doors – as well as opportunities – for people with disabilities. Hope Springs Apartments will offer hope for its 36 residents by providing a stable place for them to live and access to the supportive skills they need to live independently.

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director Mary R. Kenney joined other public-private partners today to celebrate the opening of Hope Springs Apartments in Springfield. On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn’s administration, IHDA invested nearly $5 million in Illinois Jobs Now! state capital funding to build the new development. Approximately 50 quality jobs were created.

Hope Springs Apartments features 23 one-bedroom, and 13 studio apartments near the intersection of 9th Street and Grand Avenue. Residents will have access to private and group counseling, as well as other services through the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Community Support Network (CSN) – which has office space on-site.

“Governor Pat Quinn for the first time in Illinois dedicated state capital dollars to increase affordable housing opportunities to enable people with disabilities to find stability in communities across Illinois,” IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. “Hope Springs Apartments furthers this commitment by providing safe and decent housing, and connecting residents to resources and skills that will improve their quality of life.”

Increasing affordable permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities remains a priority for the Governor. Under his leadership, more than 1,500 supportive housing units have been created across Illinois. In 2012, more than 20 percent of IHDA’s total financed multifamily units were supportive housing. Demonstrating the state’s commitment, units will be supported by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Mental Health’s Bridge Subsidy Program.

Developed by Bluestem Housing Partners, NFP, Hope Springs Apartments is environmentally friendly, featuring Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency water heaters and HVAC units, and an urban garden for tenant use. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provided a $72,500 grant to help finance these green features.

“Thanks to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), we were able to build a development that creates safe, secure and attractive housing for people with disabilities. Hope Springs Apartments is truly a community within a community, featuring many amenities and services for residents,” said Audra Hamernik, board president of Bluestem Housing Partners, NFP.

To qualify for the affordable apartments, applicants must earn at or below 50 percent of the average median income in Sangamon County, or $24,500 for one person. For information on the new units, call toll-free at (800) 347-2373 or email hopesprings@cohenesrey.com.