Apartments tailored for veterans open in Chicago suburb

(The Center Square) – A new housing development tailored for veterans has opened in Chicago Heights.

Otto Veterans Square is a $30 million project tailored for veterans in Chicago’s south suburbs.

The development includes 82 apartments on the former site of St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says housing is a human right.

“We stand here today and we’re reminded of the responsibility we have to ensure that everyone has access to safe, dignified, supportive housing, especially our veterans,” Preckwinkle said.

Preckwinkle says her administration is committed to expanding affordable housing options.

“We recognize that our veterans deserve a place where they feel secure, valued, and supported,” Preckwinkle added.

Preckwinkle attended the ribbon-cutting on Friday morning after meeting with the Illinois congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. earlier this week.

Taxpayer and private funds paved the way for the opening of the new development.

Danita Childers, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Cook County, says Otto Veterans Square will offer veterans an affordable, comfortable home.

“Thanks to the V.A. and Respond Now, residents will have access to wraparound support services staffed by professionals on site, who can assist with everything from employment to accessibility issues to health concerns,” Childers said.

Residents of Otto Square are expected to pay 30% of their income toward rent while the Housing Authority of Cook County would subsidize the remainder with county taxpayer funds.

According to the housing authority, maximum income and occupancy levels apply for potential residents to be eligible to live at the development.

Childers said the nearly $31 million project was aided by several organizations: BMO Harris Bank, the National Equity Fund, Illinois Housing Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Wintrust Bank and the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.