Development

IFF serves as a real estate developer to launch community-driven projects. At the end of 2020, we had 18 projects under development, representing 442,000 square feet and $179 million in value. But we aren’t driven by size and value — it’s the why and how we do this work that matter most.

We work closely with community development partners to identify gaps where impactful projects would not happen through traditional development avenues. This is where we use our strength and creativity to bring to life development projects that bring new resources to the communities we serve. Our expertise in planning, team building, and capital resources allows us to make challenging projects possible – in and for the communities we serve.

Equitable Community Development Principles

Engage in visioning and implementation with community residents and stakeholders

Build and preserve local community assets and wealth

Advance development guided by an inclusive community vision

Ensure that equitable community development addresses the social determinants of health beyond affordable housing and economic development

Bridge growth and equitable opportunity with a long-term commitment, or resources and time, with community partners

Our Projects

Beginning with our supportive housing practice Home First in 2010, IFF’s Development team has grown to be a leader in many sectors — including schools, early childhood education, food system facilities, and comprehensive community planning. Use the tool below to explore our projects.

Community Facilities

Early Childhood Education

Housing

K-12 Education

Completed: December 2020

Access West Cook - Maywood, Bellwood, Berwyn, and Forest Park, IL

The development of 42 units of integrated rental housing across Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, and Maywood. Utilized a 9% tax credit award from Illinois Housing Development Authority. The project rehabbed or replaced 16 abandoned and foreclosed buildings to provide permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities.

Completed: June 2020

Community Living Initiative - Illinois

IFF’s Home First developed and owns 28 units of housing in seven group home across northern Illinois. These small group homes for people with developmental disabilities, financed with IFF and Illinois Housing Development Authority loans, are leased to service providers. This pilot program was created to demonstrate new models for small community-based supportive living facilities. The homes will serve no more than six individuals, and the buildings are fully accessible. Total development costs: $4.5 million.

Completed: February 2017

Access Housing - Chicago, IL

Through its subsidiary, Home First, IFF developed and owns 54 units of universally designed, community integrated housing across 25 sites in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Home First assembled Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity, grants, and loans to develop 25 two-to-four flats for people with disabilities. The Energy Star-certified project combined new construction and rehabilitation on foreclosed sites. The project provides long-term affordability in a rapidly gentrifying community. Twenty percent of units are wheelchair accessible. Total development costs: $19.3 million

Completed: 2015

Home First Illinois Accessible Housing Initiative (IAHI) - Chicago, IL

Using $15 million in state capital funds, IFF’s Home First acquired 70 condominiums in 17 buildings in Chicago and Cook County and made them accessible for people leaving nursing homes. Residents are referred by state-contracted agencies. IAHI is the only project in the state specifically designed to implement the Colbert Consent Decree. Total development costs: $16.5 million.

Completed: December 2015

Access Peoria - Peoria, IL

IFF’s Home First leveraged grants from the Illinois Attorney General, Illinois Housing Development Authority, and the City of Peoria to develop 16 fully accessible units for persons with disabilities in eight duplexes in Peoria’s East Bluff neighborhood. Total development costs: $4 million.

Under Development

Access Health and Housing - Maywood, IL

20 units of new construction, community-integrated housing to be built on vacant city or Cook County Land Bank owned parcels created specifically for Olmstead populations. IFF received a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) grant from IHDA and is partnering with Loyola Hospital and Trinity Health.