Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Grand Opening of Poupard Place, New Permanent Supportive Housing Community in Northbrook

A collaborative effort has brought new supportive living options to the Village of Northbrook. Nonprofit developer Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC), together with elected officials, funding partners, community leaders, neighbors, and residents, celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Poupard Place on June 30. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was among the speakers at the event.

The 48-unit, four-story community at 1593 Shermer Road provides affordable housing for individuals and families living with disabilities, creating opportunities for residents to achieve long-term stability and independence.

“Poupard Place represents what can happen when a community chooses partnership over fear of the unknown. A home can change the direction of a person’s life,” said Richard Koenig, Executive Director of HODC. “More than 1,200 people applied to live in the property’s 48 units, which underscores the acute need for this type of housing. Poupard Place shows that supportive housing is not just a development, but a statement about who belongs in our community.”

The development was made possible through a collaborative partnership among HODC, Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Cook County, National Equity Fund, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Village Bank & Trust, and many other public and private partners. The Village of Northbrook unanimously approved the project and donated the land to make it possible.

“Poupard Place reflects what is possible when local government, nonprofit partners, and community members come together with a shared purpose,” said Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla. “We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to live in a welcoming, inclusive community and have a place that they can proudly call home.”

Suburban Cook County is experiencing a growing affordable housing shortage, including a deficit of roughly 44,000 affordable rental units for extremely low-income households, according to Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development. The shortage has been fueled by years of limited housing construction, rising home prices, and increasing demand across the region.

“I live in the City of Chicago where there is a lot of affordable housing. We can’t say that for all of the surrounding communities in Cook County,” said Preckwinkle. “I am grateful that Northbrook has made this commitment, and Cook County’s $3 million investment reflects a broader pledge to supporting evidence-based housing models that allow residents to live independently and with dignity.”

During the ceremony, Christine Moran, the Multifamily Financing Director at the Illinois Housing Development Authority, noted that housing is considered unaffordable in six of the ten North Shore communities, including Northbrook— a huge obstacle for both underserved populations and the local workforce. Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton added, “If you are going to work in our communities, we should find a way that you could live in our communities.” Moran and Britton also noted the importance of bringing federal and state funding together with public, private, and nonprofit sources.

Residents like Ravan Hart attended the grand opening celebration to express their gratitude for the opportunity to live and thrive at Poupard Place. While in attendance, they heard from officials about how Poupard Place represents something much larger than just a building – it represents movement toward inclusivity and accessibility.

“Today is just the beginning,” said Retired Northbrook Community Development Director Tom Poupard. “Seeing this beautiful building gives me hope that Poupard Place will serve as an example for other communities still wrestling with affordable housing stereotypes. It gives me hope that the residents here, whether you’re living with a disability or simply looking for a safe, affordable place to put down roots, will thrive and become part of the fabric of the Village of Northbrook. And it gives me hope that the next generation will grow up seeing inclusive, accessible housing, not as another political battle to fight, but simply as the way things are done in a community where we truly care about each other.”

Poupard Place was designed by architect Cordogan, Clark & Associates and built by general contractor Skender.