Group breaks ground on ‘affordable’ apartments in Glen Ellyn

Construction of a Glen Ellyn housing development for low- to moderate-income residents has begun after long-awaited state funding for the project came through last week.

State, county and local officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the Brandon Court Apartments, a six-unit, one-story apartment complex near Roosevelt Road and Greenwood Court.

The one-bedroom apartments are intended for formerly homeless, disabled residents earning less than half the area median income, or $26,200.

Community Housing Advocacy and Development, a nonprofit group that purchases, builds, rents and manages housing units primarily in DuPage County, purchased the vacant space three years ago. Last Friday, the Illinois Housing Development Authority authorized a $785,522 zero-interest loan to help fund the project.

IHDA normally provides funding to such projects through the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, but the amount of available dollars has become scarce, much like other state funding sources, officials said.

The proposed Glen Ellyn development got a boost because it was a shovel-ready project, according to Mary Loch, CHAD’s controller and a former village trustee.

The project also is being funded with a $750,000 county grant.

William Malleris, a Naperville resident and IHDA board member, said it was difficult to get financing due to current economic conditions. But now that the housing units are finally going up, he says he’s glad they’ll be able to benefit formerly homeless and disabled persons.

“It’s providing them freedom and a new future,” said Malleris, who himself has a disability. “Knowing this is happening, I’m very pleased.”

Since the county is helping to subsidize rents, the county health department will select residents for the new apartments. It’s the county’s fourth such arrangement with CHAD.

Not only will the new residents have housing, but also case management services such as counseling, said Paul Chedda, CHAD’s executive director.

“It’s a wholistic approach,” Chedda said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to provide housing without some other support.”

CHAD manages nearly 400 housing units throughout DuPage County, Aurora, South Elgin and Hillside, and provides lower-than-market rents and rental assistance to about 1,100 people each year.

The organization already manages 22 housing units in Glen Ellyn, including an eight-unit complex that will be adjacent the new Brandon Court Apartments.

“They’re good developers and they have a heart for what they’re doing,” said Carrol Roark, a county community development administrator.

Glen Ellyn Trustee Carl Henninger said the new apartments will help improve diversity in the village.

“As a lifetime resident, I’ve always worried about a lack of diversity and that Glen Ellyn is pricing itself out of making itself affordable,” Henninger said. “I’m excited to have this unit.”

Construction is expected to be complete by November.