Vivian’s Village: Affordable Housing Units Unveiled in Cahokia Heights
TL/DR –
Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation has publicly unveiled 16 new affordable housing units, with plans to build an additional 36 family units soon. The one-bedroom units will provide a stable option for low-income residents and are part of a $6.5 million facility named “Vivian’s Village.” The development also includes access to healthcare facilities and is within walking distance to essential services.
Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation Unveils Affordable Housing Units in Cahokia Heights
The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) recently showcased 16 new one-bedroom housing units in Cahokia Heights, marking the first phase of its budget-friendly housing development.
Vivian’s Village: A $6.5M Healthcare-Focused Housing Facility
The facility, christened “Vivian’s Village,” is a $6.5 million venture aiming to offer reliable and secure housing options in the lower-income Metro East community. SIHF Healthcare CEO Larry McCulley envisions this project as a revolutionary approach to healthcare in the US, extending services beyond the conventional hospital and clinical environment.
Integrating Healthcare and Housing for Improved Health Status
McCulley emphasized the importance of integrating food and housing into the healthcare sector, deeming it as the key to improving individuals’ health status and reducing nationwide healthcare costs. Vivian’s Village stands as a novel blueprint for this concept, offering facilities that provide virtual and behavioral healthcare, along with nourishment for the residents.
The housing units are strategically located within close proximity to essential amenities such as the Touchette Regional Hospital, Cahokia Heights’ police department, and local stores.
A New Home for Low-Income Earners
The 16 housing units, two of which are already inhabited, cater to residents earning 30% or less of the area’s median income. Residents will avail these facilities through vouchers from the St. Clair County Housing Authority.
Financing for Vivian’s Village
Evan Ponder, a senior policy and planning officer with the Illinois’ Housing Development Authority, confirmed the agency largely funded the project, contributing $4.95 million. Cahokia Heights Mayor Curtis McCall Sr. estimates that Vivian’s Village will offer the first affordable housing units constructed in the town in 30 years.
Future Plans for Vivian’s Village
SIHF Healthcare is intending to construct an additional 36 family units as part of the organization’s second phase in Vivian’s Village. McCulley anticipates initiating construction on these units within 90 to 120 days, once all necessary financing and documentation are secured. The housing development is named after Vivian Cash, a devoted volunteer and advocate from Centreville who previously served as a commissioner for the St. Clair County Housing Authority.
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