On Thursday, September 20, 2012 Home of the Sparrow will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 140 North Street in Woodstock, IL to celebrate the official start of construction for six new townhomes and the renovation of two houses with five units.

Through a collaborative agreement with Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC), Home of the Sparrow will assume ownership of these eleven units of permanent supportive housing. HODC will be responsible for acquiring and developing the units. The properties will offer decent affordable homes for approximately 35-45 low income individuals in McHenry County. HOS will provide supportive services so that homeless women and their children get access to the support systems they need to maintain self-sufficiency and live more stable, productive lives.

The construction and renovation of these houses is made available through funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The properties once belonged to Corporation for Affordable Homes of McHenry County but will be made available as affordable housing for McHenry County through HODC and Home of the Sparrow.

“We are very grateful for the partnership with Housing Opportunity Development Corporation and that we will be able to increase affordable housing units in McHenry County”, said Nancy Hiatt, CEO/President of Home of the Sparrow.  Richard Koenig, Executive Director of Housing Opportunity Development Corporation adds, “Thanks to the Illinois Housing Development Authority these foreclosed homes will be added back to the housing stock and provide an opportunity for decent housing. We are proud to partner with Home of the Sparrow and make these homes beautiful and productive again.”

Home of the Sparrow currently operates two transitional shelters, nine scattered site apartments along with four Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores located in: McHenry, Woodstock, Cary and Palatine. A fifth Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store will open this fall at 781 S. Randall Rd. Algonquin, IL. For more information about Home of the Sparrow please visit our website at: www.HOSparrow.org  or call (815) 271-5444. Housing Opportunity Development Corporation is a nonprofit dedicated to developing affordable housing throughout Chicago’s northern suburbs. For information about HODC please see our website at www.hodc.org or call us at (847) 564-2900.