Pastor’s vision realized with $21 million senior housing development in Fairview Heights

When Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley Sr. first moved to the metro-east as an Air Force chaplain assigned to Scott Air Force Base more than 20 years ago, he had a vision.

That vision wasn’t only for the New Life in Christ Church, which he formed in the early 2000s to serve the spiritual needs of people in and around O’Fallon, but also for affordable housing in the community, a cause close to his heart as someone who had grown up in public housing.

That vision is becoming a reality.

New Life Community Development Corporation, the nonprofit arm of the church, broke ground Tuesday afternoon on a $21 million affordable housing development in Fairview Heights for independent-living seniors and veterans.

“This is the first of what we are believing to be … many projects in this community to make a difference,” Dudley said. “From seniors to family housing to our veterans to those who are handicapped, we are looking to have impact here, and that’s what we believe we are called to do.”

On just over 11 acres north of St. Clair Square and Interstate 64, the North Bend Senior Residences will consist of 60 units in duplex and triplex homes. There will be 18 two-bedroom units and 42 one-bedroom units.

The “community of choice” will also feature a clubhouse with an exercise room and media center, an outdoor community area with a fire pit and grills, and walking paths.

“When we say communities of choice, we’re really talking about building sustainable, long-term affordable housing,” said James Roberts, president of AHDVS LLC, an affordable housing development company.

“Because for many of our seniors who live on modest, fixed incomes, it is important that we create sustainability for them. And we work very hard to make sure that the type of housing we offer is one that they would choose to live in … And we made sure that from a rental standpoint, it will be affordable today and tomorrow.”

The North Bend Senior Residences development is being financed with state and federal grants and loans, including $2.8 million through the Covid-19 Affordable Housing Grant program and $1.5 million in low-income housing tax credits . Both are administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

The 60 units will be broken down as follows, according to the authority:

• Nine units will serve households with incomes below 60% of the annual median income, which is $49,560 for a household of two in St. Clair County
• 39 will serve those at or below 50% of the annual median income, which is $41,300 for a household of two
• 12 will target households below 30% of the annual media income, which is $24,780 for a household of two

Fifteen units will be supported by project-based vouchers from the St. Clair County Housing Authority.

“We know there’s a real need for senior housing in the metro-east, and we’re proud to support this new community with an award from the state’s housing tax credit program,” said Julia Frevert, communications director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

“Securing the credits is a competitive and complex process, and I want to recognize New Life and the entire congregation for taking this new challenge on and securing your first ever award,” Frevert said, “because while we have the tools to make the progress like this possible, we cannot do this work without our partners like you in the community.”

Bishop Dudley and Vivian Moore, executive director of New Life Community Development Corporation, echoed that sentiment. “Nothing happens without others,” Moore said.

Construction is anticipated to take 14 months, and leasing for independent-living seniors age 62 and older will start in March 2025. The leasing office will be located in suite 100 at 12 Wolf Creek Drive in Swansea.