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Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation

Developers...Making a difference in housing
CEORichard Gonzalez

Mission

The mission of Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) is to produce non-discriminatory housing for low-income persons, minority people, and the elderly, often in areas of emerging job growth.

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HISTORY

Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) is a not-for-profit corporation chartered to develop, own, and manage low- and moderate-income housing. It was created by the Leadership Council of Metropolitan Open Communities in 1968.
MHDC has taken its charter seriously. Since 1968, MHDC has:
Produced thousands of new or rehabbed units for low- and moderate-income families and the elderly, secured millions of dollars in housing grants for rehabilitation projects, and obtained hundreds of millions in mortgages and other loans from sources such as HUD, IHDA, Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, the Federal Home Loan Bank, and other funding for low-income housing development.
Championed landmark litigation that made it possible to develop low-income family and elderly housing.
Researched and published the study, “Chicago’s Building Code: An Impediment to Affordable Housing Development” with grants from the Amoco Foundation and the Graham Foundation. This study resulted in significant changes to the City of Chicago building code.

Collaboration

MHDC has a long history of collaboration. We know that thoughtfully developed and well-managed properties enhance the quality of life for all persons. We also know that we cannot do it alone. We work in cooperation with many – our residents, local governments, and other not-for-profits. In this time of limited resources and growing needs, we know that it is imperative that we work together to find solutions to the wide range of problems facing low and moderate-income persons. Innovation and partnership create new housing opportunities. The following are examples of MHDC’s collaborative efforts:
Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities
Served as the low-income and fair housing arm of this organization for 10 years.
Lawndale/Mt. Sinai
Joint venture partner and developer of 20 single-family homes for low-income ownership.
Bethel New Life
Joint venture partner in the rehabilitation of 42 units on the Near West Side of Chicago. Served as the co-general partner, financial packager, and technical assistance consultant. Obtained a $1.5 million loan in addition to securing Sec.8 rental assistance from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Pilsen Resurrection Project
Joint venture partner and developer of 20 single-family homes for low-income ownership.
South Austin Coalition Community Council
Joint venture partner and developer of 40 single-family homes for low-income ownership.
DuPage County CDBG Program
Served as the technical assistance resource and developer to package CDBG loans for rehabilitation of a project in Palatine, Illinois.
Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation
A co-sponsor of three different development projects in East St. Louis, Illinois; Touchette Elderly Apartments I, Touchette Elderly Apartments II, and The Cottages at Cathedral Square (totaling approximately 160 units).

Commitment to Fair Housing

Since its founding by the Leadership Council in 1968, Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) has, as a part of its mission, built and fought for the production and preservation of integrated and affordable housing for all. The past decades have seen countless affordable units built and managed in areas where no affordable, integrated housing had previously existed. MHDC’s most spectacular victory for the cause of affordable housing came in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court “open housing” case, MHDC v. Arlington Heights. MHDC successfully fought for, and established, the principle that municipalities may not use their zoning codes to prevent the development of housing for low- and moderate-income minority persons. This decision continues to have a major impact on fair housing litigation today. This landmark case is now studied in law schools across the country.
MHDC and its affiliates continue to demonstrate their commitment to fair housing by not only training its staff to abide by fair housing standards but also by reaching out to the elderly and minority populations. Further, in order to accommodate disabled persons, the housing facilities MHDC develops strictly adheres to all mandatory ADA standards.