Officials say ‘first-of-its-kind' housing coming to Highland Park; will fill ‘huge gap' for adults with disabilities
Nonprofit organization Collaborative Community Housing Initiative is working to turn the former memory care facility, The Auberge at Highland Park, into CCHI Commons. It's an $8 million undertaking that includes the purchase of the building, and transforming it from a care facility into an apartment community.
Construction is planned to begin in October, with residents moving in around April.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said she is excited to see the Commons come to the area, saying it reflects the city's value of inclusion. It will be 'more than just a place to live,' she said, providing recreation and socialization in ways not seen in typical housing.
When city officials heard about CCHI Executive Director Laurie Williams' concept for the Commons, they saw the 'important and impactful opportunity' and encouraged her to move ahead, Rotering said.
By her measure, the project fits well in Highland Park, which is also home to the North Shore Special Recreation Agency, which provides programs and services year-round for children and adults with disabilities, and Keshet, a social services organization that opened its headquarters in the city less than a year ago.
She praised CCHI and the families involved for their efforts.
For Williams and many of the organization's volunteers, the work is personal. Families see their children with disabilities leave school and lose their support structures and community. Parents also worry about what will happen to their adult children after they die. Williams' own son is now 31.
'I thought, 'What's going to happen to him? What's his life going to look like?'' Williams said. 'Typical peers get to go to college, live in a dorm, have their own apartments. Our population can't do that.'
Illinois ranks poorly in this regard, Williams said. A 'State of the States' ranking by the University of Kansas put Illinois in 46th place for financial support of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It's a 'huge gap' when it comes to care, she said.
The Commons, which will house 49 residents and a resident assistant, will be owned by its families as a co-op. It's a unique model. Williams believes it's the first inclusive housing project of its kind. She said that makes it more financially resilient compared to grant funding.
Renovations include updating the commercial kitchen, installing a teaching kitchen, and adding art and music spaces. The work will transform it from a healthcare facility into a 'modern, ordinary apartment complex,' Michael Weiss, a CCHI volunteer and development partner, said.
Despite its past use, the Commons won't be a care facility, Williams said, although it'll have the accessibility benefits of one with large doors and bathrooms. Residents may have jobs or be part of programs — they'll be semi-independent, with low to moderate needs.
Williams said CCHI acquired the building in March, and has spent the subsequent months clearing it out. At the moment, much of the building is packed with chairs, desks and other leftover items the organization hopes to sell in an upcoming estate sale.
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Beloved TV news anchor Bill Williams dies
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A planned cooperative apartment community for adults with disabilities in Highland Park will be a first-of-its-kind, according to owners, and will fill a services and housing niche drastically underserved in Illinois. Nonprofit organization Collaborative Community Housing Initiative is working to turn the former memory care facility, The Auberge at Highland Park, into CCHI Commons. It's an $8 million undertaking that includes the purchase of the building, and transforming it from a care facility into an apartment community. Construction is planned to begin in October, with residents moving in around April. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said she is excited to see the Commons come to the area, saying it reflects the city's value of inclusion. It will be 'more than just a place to live,' she said, providing recreation and socialization in ways not seen in typical housing. When city officials heard about CCHI Executive Director Laurie Williams' concept for the Commons, they saw the 'important and impactful opportunity' and encouraged her to move ahead, Rotering said. By her measure, the project fits well in Highland Park, which is also home to the North Shore Special Recreation Agency, which provides programs and services year-round for children and adults with disabilities, and Keshet, a social services organization that opened its headquarters in the city less than a year ago. She praised CCHI and the families involved for their efforts. For Williams and many of the organization's volunteers, the work is personal. Families see their children with disabilities leave school and lose their support structures and community. Parents also worry about what will happen to their adult children after they die. Williams' own son is now 31. 'I thought, 'What's going to happen to him? What's his life going to look like?'' Williams said. 'Typical peers get to go to college, live in a dorm, have their own apartments. Our population can't do that.' Illinois ranks poorly in this regard, Williams said. A 'State of the States' ranking by the University of Kansas put Illinois in 46th place for financial support of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's a 'huge gap' when it comes to care, she said. The Commons, which will house 49 residents and a resident assistant, will be owned by its families as a co-op. It's a unique model. Williams believes it's the first inclusive housing project of its kind. She said that makes it more financially resilient compared to grant funding. Renovations include updating the commercial kitchen, installing a teaching kitchen, and adding art and music spaces. The work will transform it from a healthcare facility into a 'modern, ordinary apartment complex,' Michael Weiss, a CCHI volunteer and development partner, said. Despite its past use, the Commons won't be a care facility, Williams said, although it'll have the accessibility benefits of one with large doors and bathrooms. Residents may have jobs or be part of programs — they'll be semi-independent, with low to moderate needs. Williams said CCHI acquired the building in March, and has spent the subsequent months clearing it out. At the moment, much of the building is packed with chairs, desks and other leftover items the organization hopes to sell in an upcoming estate sale.
