BROADVIEW – Sixteen permanent supportive housing units, which will serve individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a long-term disabling condition, will be created as Housing Forward broke ground on a construction project Monday, April 24, shared Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford.

“Housing is the basis of stability for an individual or family. A home should be the center of our social, emotional, and sometimes economic lives — a place to live in peace, security, and dignity,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Together, we are bringing housing resources to the area to help our neighbors who are experiencing housing crisis find the stability and security they deserve.”

The residential building will house up to 22 people and includes dedicated units for veterans and youth aging out of the Department of Children and Family Services’ care. Housing Forward has been providing permanent supportive housing since 2006 and today has over 250 site units across the agency’s 26-community service-area footprint. This new building will serve to add to those numbers.

This construction project is Housing Forward’s first time developing and owning a site-based residential building. The three-story, mixed-use development will include four two-bedroom units for families and 12 one-bedroom units for individuals, with additional common space for tenants. Four of the units will be wheelchair accessible and one will be designed to accommodate sensory, hearing and visually impaired individuals. The property will also include an outdoor terrace and community garden and is near public transportation and area amenities.

For more information on Housing Forward and this project, visit www.housingforward.org.