Accessible, supportive housing receives boost in Peoria through Home First February 1, 2015

IFF’s Home First program is working with LISC Peoria, East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, local housing counseling agencies and banks, and the city of Peoria, IL, to revitalize Peoria’s East Bluff neighborhood by replacing blighted properties and vacant lots with affordable housing for rent or sale.

Home First secured financing, assembled eight county- and city-owned lots, and started construction on Access Peoria, a 16-unit project that will create eight wheelchair-accessible, energy-efficient duplexes on scattered sites in East Bluff. The resulting permanent supportive housing units will be available to people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.

Financing includes $1 million from Partners for a Better East Bluff’s National Foreclosure Settlement award, a $2.6 million grant from Illinois Housing Development Authority, and a $408,000 grant from the city of Peoria. Home First will own the project, with East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services as manager. The project will be completed later this year.