Community Development Solutions

IFF serves as a real estate developer, collaborating with community stakeholders to achieve their unique visions.

Community Development Solutions

Working closely with communities to launch community-driven projects, we identify gaps where impactful projects would not happen through traditional development avenues.

Our team works across Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and St. Louis, often bridging gaps in the community by taking on challenges other developers cannot or are unwilling to pursue. 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.

View Current RFPs and RFQs

Our Recently Completed Projects

Beginning with the development of two full-service grocery stores in 2013, 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.

Click the images below to explore some of our projects.

McClellan Early Childhood Education Center

Location: Detroit

McClellan Early Childhood Education Center

Neighborhoods surrounding the McClellan ECE site have a large demand for early childhood education providers. This new ECE center features 96 new slots provided by a locally operated child care business, as well as a community room for public use.

Home Sweet Homan Homeownership Initiative

Location: Chicago

Home Sweet Homan Homeownership Initiative

Contributing to a larger effort across Chicago to build 1,000 homes on the West Side, IFF and Foundation for Homan Square are building 20 single-family for-sale homes using modular construction on vacant land. Homes sales will prioritize moderate income families.

Marygrove Early Education Center

Location: Detroit

Marygrove Early Education Center

With a generous gift from the AbbVie Corporation to North Chicago School District 187, this middle school was transformed through a rehab of a 11,190 square foot gymnasium and the new construction of 86,280 square feet of classroom space.

Homan Square Permanent Supportive Housing

Location: Chicago

Homan Square Permanent Supportive Housing

Homan Square PSH is a 21-unit new construction rental housing development with universal design principles to allow for maximum accessibility accommodations. The units will provide an opportunity for disabled or aging residents to live independently.