The Burton Foundation received the 2016 Gale Cincotta Award from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) for Water’s Edge of South Elgin, prostate a successful integration of supportive and independent housing in South Elgin’s growing downtown. Of the 50 units, half are currently leased by residents with developmental disabilities, and the balance are occupied by income-eligible renters from the general public, with wait lists for both aspects of the development. The development is a key piece of the Village’s plan to revitalize the downtown area and a welcome addition that makes the neighborhood more stable and inclusive.
Construction on the award winning development was completed in April 2015 and currently has 100% occupancy. There are currently 184 applicants on the wait list. This is the first known project in Illinois to successfully mix supportive and independent housing at half each This mixture is made possible based on the desirable location, attractive building with many amenities, the lack of general affordable housing in the area, as well as the expert case management services and on-site presence of the Association for Individual Development, the key service provider.
Key partners included the Housing Authority of Elgin who provided 25 vouchers to support the disabled population, the Association for Individual Development who provides the intensive case management and on-site presence needed to support the disabled population, the Village of South Elgin who supported the development with TIF funding but also provided tremendous leadership and support during the long zoning approval process, IHDA who provided both a Trust Fund loan and LIHTCs, Bank of America that provided the equity and sponsored the project for a successful FHLB award (Atlanta), and Raymond James who as the syndicator believed in the potential to mix the populations. Corporation for Supportive Housing was also helpful in their technical support researching other mixed population buildings throughout the country. Everyone involved in the project helped bring this project together to benefit the residents and the community.
Lightengale was proud to nominate Water’s Edge based on its innovative approach to integrate special needs residents into the broader community.