Veterans housing in East Dundee not attracting veterans

Although there’s an East Dundee subdivision that gives preference to military veterans and their immediate families, it seems interest is coming from everyone but those two groups.

River Haven Place, still under construction on the northwest corner of Routes 25 and 72, offers 68 duplexes and ranch homes for rent. A two-bedroom home starts at $867 a month, while a four bedroom unit is $1,072 a month.

The first batch of homes will be available Feb. 1, while the second group will be completed in March, said Anna Blair, the representative for River Haven Place. Of the 30 phone calls Blair receives each day on the homes, just one comes from a veteran.

“We’re not getting much interest from the veterans,” Blair said. “I don’t know if the word has gotten out there to them yet. We want to saturate the population with the knowledge that we will give veterans a preference.”

Veterans from all conflicts and their families are given priority over other applicants. The veterans are bumped to the top of the waiting list, which now numbers 25, don’t have to pay the $50 application fee and their security deposit would be slashed in half.

Blair has spread the word at local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars halls. She has also advertised on Craig’s List and marketed the homes to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Kane County and McHenry County veterans commissions, local lodges and to the Hines VA Hospital in Maywood.

During this week’s committee of the whole meeting in East Dundee, several trustees suggested that a banner be put out in front of the subdivision that advertises its preference for veterans.

“I think it’s important that people know it’s a program designed for veterans and their immediate families,” Trustee Lael Miller said. “It’s something we want to publicize.”

Local developer Jim Bergman is building the project and The Renaissance Companies will be managing it.

To schedule an appointment to view the homes, call (847) 844-8100.