Organization wants to build senior housing in Lombard

A Naperville-based Asian organization is targeting Lombard for what could be its first senior citizen housing venture.

The group is resuscitating plans for the second phase of a stalled luxury condominium project across from Moran Water Park as a possible complex for seniors on fixed incomes, officials say. It would be sponsored by Xilin Association, which operates the Xilin Asian Community Center in Naperville.

Initially, a second five-story building was planned as part of Lombard's Oakview Estates, a complex designed to feature two 40-unit condominium buildings just east of Grace Street along St. Charles Road.

The first building, with units selling for $235,900 to nearly $400,000, was completed last year.

With the condo market turning soft and nine of those 40 units still not sold, construction on the second building has been in limbo.

But if the village's plan commission supports the Xilan proposal, an identical $15 million structure could be built at 500 E. St. Charles, next to the condominium building. It could house up to 52 senior apartments with a community room featuring English- and Asian-language classes and Chinese, Indian, Korean and various cultural programs.

The issue is scheduled to be discussed at 7:30 p.m. Monday at village hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave.

Final changes in the project would require village board approval. Trustees could vote on the matter in November.

The association decided to step into the senior housing market after learning of the plight of a nonagenarian volunteer, Executive Director Linda Yang said.

When the volunteer's husband died, Yang said, the woman's daughter unsuccessfully tried to run the business, which led to bankruptcy that forced the family to sell her house.

"The 90-year-old lady had no place to live and eventually had to move to Chicago. It triggered us to think about senior housing," Yang said.

"There are people we work with who have been going to regular senior housing but have a language barrier and a cultural barrier," Yang said. "Again, we see a need."

Initially, Yang said, the group unsuccessfully tried to find land and a building partner in Naperville.

Then, Yang said, the group learned about the project in Lombard already zoned for multi-family use with various financing options.

Yang said the association needs to have the site secured by Dec. 3 to file for funding for the project through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Since this project would fall within a tax incremental financing district created in part for Oakview Estates in 2004, Xilin may ask for up to $300,000 in public funds. That, too, would be subject to village board approval.

"The village would not be providing any money up front," senior village planner William Heniff said.

Though this would be Xilin's first housing venture, the association already works with seniors providing adult day care and assists other agencies helping seniors with language needs.

Last year, Xilin held its first senior health fair in Naperville and drew nearly 200 people.

While the condo site originally had been geared toward young families, this proposal could provide affordable senior housing, a niche that's missing in Lombard, said Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick, who helped connect Xilin to the Oakview developer.

"Because the aging population in DuPage County is exploding, I worry about people getting older and feeling isolated in a big house," Fitzpatrick said.

Based on recent census totals, roughly 10 percent of DuPage residents are 65 or older.

Although there are two senior housing proposals pending building permits, including one downtown, Heniff said both are designed for affluent residents.

For the Xilin project, special preference would be given to Lombard seniors, Fitzpatrick said.