Construction Underway for New Affordable Housing Apartments for Seniors

More than two dozen people gathered Wednesday for the groundbreaking of The Homestead of Morton Grove, an apartment building for seniors expected to open early 2012 at 6400 Lincoln Ave.

The Homestead of Morton Grove is the latest project for the Nebraska-based Essex Corporation, 35-year company that bases its business in the Midwest. 

The development was partially funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority through funds from President Barack Obama’s economic recovery plan. Nineteen of the building’s 82 units will be priced according to resident income to provide affordable housing to seniors.

“We are pleased to have invested more than $19.5 million into this development,” said Yvonne Douge, IHDA managing director of marketing and communication. “IHDA’s investment will allow seniors in the Morton Grove area to continue to live comfortably and affordably.”

The switch from condos to affordable housing apartments

Morton Grove Village President Dan Staackmann said that The Homestead was originally going to be a condo building, but due to the economic downturn and financing issues it changed to affordable rental units. The area where The Homestead is being built had become a commercial district in recent years, and Staackmann said he hopes it will help it transition back into a residential area.

“We’re building a building that’s going to suit the needs of Morton Grove and surrounding communities for now and years to come,” Staackmann said.

The four-story community’s apartments range from 721 to more than 1,200 square feet in size. They will feature individual balconies or patios, full kitchens equipped with appliances, one or two bedrooms and bathrooms, a washer and dryer and individually controlled heating and air conditioning. The building will have a community dining room, a game room, a wellness area, a sun room, a library and business center, wireless Internet access and parking under the building.

Reaction from some community members

Advertising for the units will not start until June, but Essex president Kent Braasch said they’ve already been contacted by prospective residents.

“Because of the and by the village, we’ve already had a lot of people contact us and request additional information,” Braasch said.

Morton Grove resident Judith Hindin said she attended the groundbreaking because she interested in moving in once the building is open.

“I’m in a condo now that I won’t be able to afford,” Hindin said. “I don’t have enough to live on now. It makes The Homestead sound appealing.”

Cathy Peters, whose family owns the land that The Homestead is being built on, said that her own aunt and mother will be living at The Homestead.

“This building will rise from my family’s homestead where they lived as one of the founding families of Morton Grove,” Peters said. “Today is a dream come true for our family.”