PEORIA (25News Now) – Peoria officials cut the ribbon on a new affordable housing development on the city’s south side Wednesday after, a moment nearly five years in the making.
The project turned vacant lots into 47 new units designed with families in mind. Pivotal Housing Partners worked with Peoria Opportunities to develop the site.
“Pivotal Housing Partners got connected to us at Peoria Opportunities, wanting to do a housing development in Peoria. And so we met with the city, and they were very excited about it and encouraged us to come to the south side,” said Irina Riggenbach, executive director of Peoria Opportunities.
The units include modern features like in-unit laundry, internet access, and energy-efficient appliances.
“People deserve to live in a unit that has nice amenities. There are in-unit washers and dryers. There are full-size kitchens with energy-efficient appliances, which will help their energy bill,” Riggenbach said.
Demand exceeds availability
Before the ribbon was cut, 400 people had already joined the interest list for the 47 units.
“We have 400 people on our interest list for the 47 units, and they’ve begun leasing up,” Riggenbach said. “That speaks to the need that, you know, we have 47 new units, but it’s not enough.”
Vonnett Thurman, a resident on the waitlist, said the development addresses a community need.
“Certain communities need this, and certain communities don’t have this. And by me being from Chicago… we have it, but it’s hard to get to,” Thurman said. “I want what I didn’t have before. And I wanted to make sure it’s affordable housing, emphasis on affordable housing.”
Future development
Mayor Rita Ali said more developments are in the works.
“We’re going to repopulate this area of our city so that retail, pharmacy, and grocery stores will return to this area. So it’s very exciting. It’s called revitalization, and it’s moving housing forward in Peoria,” Ali said.
The city will host an event at the Gateway Building, titled Moving Housing Forward, on April 22 to discuss more projects like Churchview Garden Homes.
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