The push to redevelop Taft Homes means another housing site may not be finished anytime soon. The Peoria Housing Authority began to replace 200 units at Harrison Homes in 2007. Nearly 80 have been completed so far, leaving more than 120 to re-construct. Financing options put the project on hold.
PHA officials instead decided to drive the Taft project forward as it’s become too costly to maintain. They also believe the timing is right with the redevelopment of the Warehouse District, downtown revitalization, and the potential expansion of Caterpillar. Yvonne Long is the Director of Modernization and Development with the PHA. She says the staff hasn’t forgotten about Harrison.
“We’re near full occupancy at most of our sites and so we need to continue to meet their needs and try to find other housing options, but it’s still there. We know it and we’re still making sure that we can move forward with future redevelopment there too.”
Long says the authority will vote this month to demolish the old office building at Harrison to make way for new construction. She says the authority is also considering the site as an option for the redevelopment of some of the Taft Homes.