Supportive housing is safe, needed

I hope the good neighbors of Arlington Heights will open up their hearts to the proposed permanent supportive housing development called Grace Terrace, which will be located at 1519-1625 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Grace Terrace aims to provide 25 units of housing for veterans and persons of disabilities earning 30 % — 50% of Area Median Income. The nonprofit agency called Full Circle Communities proposing Grace Terrance has extensive portfolio experience in building permanent supported housing and their closest comparable property is Pearl Street Commons in McHenry.

Some project neighbors expressed their fearful concerns during an informational meeting at the Arlington Heights library — fear that the 25 proposed residents would be criminals who would bring crime to the area, fear for their children’s safety, loss of property values, and would Arlington Heights be responsible for higher taxes or somehow financially supporting this project?

Ample research exists to allay such fears. Poor people do not commit any more crime than any other income class. People who suffer from mental illness are more often victims of crime and again do not commit more crimes than other citizens. The developer Full Circle had charts showing that property values did not go down at their other properties.

The Housing Authority of Cook County is providing rental assistance for all 25 units at Grace Terrace. The Village of Arlington Heights is not providing funding to build or support the development. This property has been vacant for seven years, and Grace Terrace is estimated to generate $50,000 per year in property taxes.

I hope that our good neighbors protesting Grace Terrance would take the time to visit Pearl Street Commons in McHenry. There is a strong demand for supportive housing in Arlington Heights. People who need supportive housing are not criminals, they are vulnerable neighbors who need our help.

Juli Cicarelli

Arlington Heights