Hope Manor Village Joliet Bringing Critical Housing With Health Care for Vulnerable Will County Women

JOLIET - The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) joined Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA Illinois), Silver Cross Hospital, local officials, community members, and construction and labor representatives to celebrate the grand opening of Hope Manor Village Joliet, a $25 million affordable housing development bringing 48 much-needed supportive homes for Will County women.

Built on previously vacant land donated by Silver Cross, Hope Manor Village Joliet offers more than a permanent place to live. The development pairs stable housing with direct access to healthcare and coordinated services designed to help women overcoming opioid addiction, especially those that are pregnant or caring for their young children, maintain their health, regain stability, and build healthier lives for themselves and their family. Through VOA Illinois, residents will be connected to medical services including preventative care, wellness visits, and maternal and nutritional education.

"Housing is healthcare. When residents have a reliable place to call home, they are better positioned to access medical care, follow treatment plans, and focus on their long-term well-being," said Brenda O'Connell, IHDA's Senior Policy Advisor for Special Populations. "While the number of opioid deaths in Illinois is decreasing, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported more than 1,300 fatalities and an additional 8,772 emergency room visits due to overdoses last year. By pairing housing with coordinated services, Hope Manor Village Joliet will create the foundation residents need to build healthier, more stable lives. IHDA is incredibly proud to support this development and help these strong women on their road to recovery."

Hope Manor Village Joliet features 44 two-bedroom and four one-bedroom units spread across two, three-story apartment buildings designed to provide residents with privacy, independence, and a sense of community. Residents also have access to a playground, walking paths, outdoor patio, and a community garden. The development is just east of downtown Joliet near mass transit, schools, multiple parks, and other attractions, helping residents stay connected to essential services and neighborhood amenities.

"Hope Manor Village Joliet demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together to address the interconnected needs of housing, health, and recovery," said Nancy Hughes Moyer, President and CEO of VOA Illinois. "These 48 homes will give women and their children the stability, support, and connection to care they need to move forward and build healthier, prosperous futures. We are grateful to our partners at IHDA, Silver Cross Hospital, the City of Joliet, the Housing Authority of Joliet, and the broader community for helping bring this vital resource to Will County."

All residents at Hope Manor Village Joliet must be earning at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, or approximately $48,600 annually for a two-person household in Will County. Housing Choice Vouchers from the Housing Authority of Joliet subsidize the rent for all 48 homes, helping ensure residents can access housing at an affordable cost on their road to recovery.

Hope Manor Village Joliet received $21 million in funding from IHDA in the form of bond financing, loans, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, along with $4 million in additional funding. The development was awarded funding under Round X of IHDA's Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program.

For media interested in touring Hope Manor Village Joliet, please contact the VOA Illinois Chief of Staff Bridget Hickey at (312) 564-2434.

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