The Children's Home Association of Illinois is seeking city approval to construct two transitional living homes for young adults on its Knoxville Avenue campus.
The 5,000 square foot buildings would host a supervised independent living program for people aged 18-24, particularly those who are aging out of the foster care system.
"There is a statistic that says 42% of young people aging out of foster care can wind up homeless at some point," Scurry Miller, the president and CEO of the Children's Home, told the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday. "And so the supervised independent living homes are meant to to avoid that."
The program envisioned by Children's Home would offer life skills training, mental health services, and employment support for up to 24 young adults, in addition to shelter.
Miller said the Children's Home campus was constructed in two phases back in 1891 and 1919. The new housing would sit in what is now a parking lot behind the building. He said collectively, it's a big investment back into the East Bluff it calls home.
"The board is thrilled. They all signed on that we have decided to invest in the iconic building and then build on the property that we have," Miller said.
Miller wants to see the existing stone arch near the parking lot preserved and used as an entry point for the transitional housing area.
A number of organizations sent the Planning and Zoning Commission letters of endorsement, including the Dream Center, Heart of Illinois United Way, Peoria County, the Salvation Army, Phoenix Community Development Services, and the East Bluff Community Center.
The commission approved the plan. It now heads to the Peoria City Council on Dec. 10 for final approval.
