Research: Kansas City, MO Schools Study

On October 19th, IFF released Putting Performance on the Map: Locating Quality Schools in the Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD). The study finds that 88 percent of all District and charter public school students in KCMSD do not attend a performing school, and that options are still few after the District’s restructuring plan.

The premise of Putting Performance on the Map and IFF’s similar studies is that all children deserve to have the option to attend an academically performing school near where they live. For the complete report, top five zip code profiles, presentation and media coverage: www.iff.org/putting_performance.

Policy: Health Care Facilities Funding Updates

The US Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently released $700 million to FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Clinics). The funds are being distributed to FQHCs that were just below the cut-off to receive funds in the last round of allocations and are continuing with their facilities plans. Visit our Regulatory Updates page for additional information on governmental rules and regulations relevant to facilities planning and construction, including:

• The New Access Points application - due in mid-November
• The School-based Health Centers Capital program application - due December 1st
• In Illinois, the application for community health facilities - due November 1st

Illinois: Countryside Senior Apartments

Countryside Senior Apartments is a 70-unit affordable rental housing development for independent seniors in Lyons Township. Along with green design components for which the development is seeking LEED™ Silver certification, the site is accessible to public transportation and other amenities including retail and medical services.

Countryside Senior Apartments hosted an open house on October 20th and IFF Executive Vice President Joe Neri had the opportunity to address the audience, “Despite the fact that we were in the most difficult affordable housing environment in decades…together, we knocked down barriers all along the way, and look at the result.”

Partnering with a variety of stakeholders was important to the completion of the project. Lyons Township made a donation of land, Community Memorial Foundation provided pre-development financing, and Mercy Housing became a partner in the ownership and property management. IFF negotiated the land with the township, put together the financing, provided $1.3 million, and obtained $8 million in federal tax credits and $3.45 million from county HOME funds.

At the open house, Cindy Holler, CEO of Mercy Housing had these words to say, “It’s a real testimony to IFF’s leadership that all these people got together behind the vision for Countryside Senior Apartments. Without IFF’s early work in the project, these developments don’t happen.”

Missouri: IBS Industries Opens The Corner Spot

For over 40 years, IBS Industries, Inc. (IBS) has partnered with local government, organizations and individuals to place people with disabilities into a wide array of employment positions.

When IBS wanted to open a retail store that would help them explore higher visibility employment opportunities for their clients, IBS reached out to IFF for a loan. IFF’s loan, along with community development funds from the City of Independence, Missouri supported the acquisition and renovation of a former drug store and doctor’s office building into The Corner Spot, a general merchandise store owned and operated by IBS.  

Last month, The Corner Spot opened to the public as part of the Maywood Redevelopment Project. In addition to construction jobs, an estimated 15 new permanent positions have been created for low- to moderate-income disabled citizens and nondisabled workers. The area is a community development priority for the City of Independence.  

IBS also funded some of the Corner Spot's fixtures with the IFF loan, and has received additional equipment lending from IFF to support its sheltered workshop facilities, as well as the approximately 240 individuals IBS employs.

Wisconsin: Villard Square Apartments

IFF joined Villard Square GrandFamily, LLC and others to celebrate the groundbreaking on Villard Square Apartments last month.  The multi-family affordable housing project is designed for families in which grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. IFF is providing a nearly $1.5 million construction loan to support the $10.5 million project.

Along with the 47 two- and three-bedroom apartments, the site will boast a rooftop garden, exercise studio, beauty salon and business center, along with nearly 13,000 square feet on the ground floor for the relocated Villard Avenue Library.

Technical Assistance: Can I Green my Existing Building?

David Reynolds, Vice President of IFF’s Real Estate Services, continues our series of technical assistance worksheets and podcasts with his third installment of “Can I Green my Existing Building?” This month, learn about everyday ways to conserve resources.