Work is underway on a major affordable housing development that will feature 47 units across seven new buildings on the South Side of Peoria.
The $18 million Churchview Garden Homes, covering approximately 2.5 acres of parcels acquired through the City of Peoria Land Bank, will target lower-income households with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartment-style townhome residences.
“We’re bringing housing back to the South Side,” said Mayor Rita Ali. “Over time, we've lost so much housing, which means losing people to the South Side. That's why we have a food desert, a pharmacy desert, a retail desert. But now we're bringing housing back to the South Side – quality, safe, affordable housing.”
Although construction started last month, the Peoria Opportunities Foundation (POF) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project Thursday, with several other city officials and project leaders in attendance. The development is a collaboration between POF and Pivotal Housing Partners.
“Developing any project, there are a lot of challenges, and it's just the nature of developing affordable housing. So it's great to be at this point that we are under construction,” said Jane Genzel, the foundation’s outgoing director. “There are lots of holes in the ground. I'm always sensitive to all of the chaos that it's creating in the neighborhood, but somebody said the other day, ‘Yes, but it's a good mess.’”
First District Council Member Denise Jackson said she’s eager and encouraged to see development coming to the South Side.
“I've lived in this community all of my life. I left for about 11 years, and I came back and saw the devastation, the deterioration, and I vowed that if I was going to remain in Peoria, I wanted to be a part of change,” said Jackson, calling the Churchview project “a small piece in a very large puzzle.”
“Mayor Ali and her staff, they've done more than any administration in recent years to oversee the demolition of old, dilapidated buildings in our community and homes throughout our neighborhood. And I'm happy to say that now we are finally on the pathway to rebuilding within our communities.”
The seven separate lots are located near the intersection of Antoinette and Shelley streets, not far from St. Ann’s Catholic Church and its Garden of Hope. The development will feature five townhome buildings and two two-story walkup buildings.
“There hasn't been much new construction, new development in this area in about 20 years,” said Irina Riggenbach, who is serving as POF director alongside Genzel until her departure. “So I think it's very important. Very important to show that there is investment being made here, and hopefully that will spark future investment and further development.”
Ali said investing in the South Side is critical for Peoria.
“When we talk about affordable housing, we must think beyond rent. True affordable housing means families can live in homes without worrying about how they're going to cover their utility bills,” said Ali. “Too many in our community face barriers to find rental homes that are not only affordable, but energy efficient, well maintained and located in strong, supportive neighborhoods.
“But our work doesn't stop at housing. This is about more than foundations and walls and roofs. The City of Peoria has been working diligently to lay the groundwork for reinvestment in Peoria’s South Side to create a stronger and more resilient city.”
Each lot will have both street frontage and alley access with ample parking. Amenities will include both a fitness and community room, energy efficient design, modern appliances, in-unit laundry facilities, and central air conditioning.
A majority of the funding for the public-private partnership comes through low-income housing tax credits awarded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority [IHDA] and equity investment from PNC Bank.
The Peoria Housing Authority is contributing $2 million through 13 project-based vouchers. The City of Peoria adds $1.25 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnership, and almost $500,000 more in TIF dollars.
“The South Side is where we started as a city, that was the beginning. It's the oldest part of our community, and we have to rebuild it, we have to repopulate it,” said Ali. “Once we can get it repopulated with safe, quality housing, we'll see the successful grocery stores, the successful pharmacies and retail establishments back here again.”
