The units will be subsidized with the housing choice voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, and income restricted, Clark said.

The land’s proximity to local grocery stores, restaurants and other amenities, Clark said, made the location appealing. Especially if, for example, a resident didn’t have a car. 

"It’s just really great from a walkability standpoint," Clark said.

The total project budget is $7.5 million, Clark said. That includes purchasing the property and construction, which Clark says is estimated to cost about $6 million.

To fund the project, the Illinois Housing Development Authority awarded the Rock Island County organization a $5,137,992 National Housing Trust Fund Grant and a $859,485 State Housing Fund Loan. Clark said the loan is typically restructured as a forgivable loan, and the remaining roughly $1.5 million will be financed with private loans. 

Clark expects construction to begin in May and hopes to start leasing in summer 2023. 

Currently, Clark said, the Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority and Rock Island County Housing Finance Corporation owns and operates about 700 housing units. 

"And those vary from public housing to low- to moderate-income housing, elderly housing, to market-rate housing," Clark said. "So, we have basically a plethora of housing units within the communities to serve any income level."