Fairview Housing Partners is proud to partner with Lincoln Avenue Communities in celebrating the grand opening of Willis Senior Lofts in Rochelle, Illinois. This landmark development is the city’s first senior-focused affordable housing community and delivers 60 thoughtfully designed one- and two-bedroom apartments for adults aged 55 and older.
Located in the heart of Rochelle, Willis Senior Lofts offers modern amenities including a fitness center, theater room, walking paths, and a vibrant community garden that has already become a gathering place for residents. During the opening celebration, seniors shared stories of tending the garden and swapping homegrown produce like zucchini with neighbors, underscoring how the building is fostering not just affordable housing, but a true sense of community and connection.
The building was designed to meet Enterprise Green and Net-Zero certifications, ensuring long-term sustainability, energy efficiency, and reduced utility costs for residents.
A key part of the project’s success was Fairview Housing Partners’ role in facilitating nearly $6 million in soft funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) through its Capital Assistance for Housing Grants (CAHG) program. As part of the CAHG program, these funds are subject to additional regulatory compliance requirements. This award, paired with the project’s 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation, was pivotal in completing the capital stack.
Importantly, Willis Senior Lofts marked Fairview’s first loan transaction, paving the way for a similar grant passthrough the following year and serving as the foundation for the organization’s subordinate lending platform in place today.
The project’s financing also included a first mortgage, 45L energy-efficiency credits, CREA’s acquisition of the tax credits, and construction financing provided by Chase.
We were honored to mark this milestone alongside Representative Darin LaHood, City of Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows, and other local and regional leaders. Fairview Housing Partners’ Executive Director Thom Amdur attended on behalf of our organization, joining partners, community members, and residents in celebrating this important addition to the Rochelle housing landscape.
Fairview Housing Partners is grateful to our partners and supporters for helping bring this vision to life and remains committed to expanding equitable, affordable housing opportunities for seniors in Illinois and beyond.