Arlington Hts. ponders housing for those with mental illness

A proposed apartment building for people with mental illness gained supportive comments from Arlington Heights trustees Monday night.

The three-story, 30-unit building at 120 and 122 East Boeger Road would be built on vacant land just east of Arlington Heights Road and south of Dundee Road. It would be a joint project between Thresholds, a nonprofit provider of psychiatric rehabilitation services, and Daveri Development Group.

A parents group called The North/Northwest Suburban Task Force on Supportive Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness initiated attempts to get this type of housing in the community. The group has been meeting for seven years and has been incorporated for a little more than one year, members said.

Residents would have persistent mental illness, said Jay Forman, vice president of strategic development for Thresholds, including schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. There is very little of this type of housing in the area, said Jessica H. Berzac, vice president of acquisitions and development for Daveri.

The project needs a zoning change because the land is zoned for business and designated as commercial on the village's comprehensive plan.

The developer needs fast-track approval by the Plan Commission to meet a May 10 deadline for a federal tax credit, which is critical for the project, said Berzac.

The board took no action Monday, but individual trustees expressed preliminary support for the project. Mayor Arlene Mulder said she was pleased that the developers plan to give preference to people with ties to Arlington Heights.