Joliet Veterans Housing OK'd by City Council

The second time was the charm for Hope Manor of Joliet.

The housing complex for veterans and their families was voted down by the city council more than a year ago, but received unanimous approval in its second go-round on Tuesday night.

The plan got the nod after density was reduced from 12 to 10 units per acre for the four-building, 67-unit development at the former Silver Cross Hospital campus at Copperfield Avenue and Hebbard Street.

Hope Manor of Joliet will be the third Chicagoland veterans community rom developer Volunteers of America. The organization also operates the $14.5 million Hope Manor I, located on the west side of Chicago, and $23 million Hope Manor II, on the south side of Chicago. The developments are home to more than 150 veterans and their families.

The facility would be located near the new veterans outpatient clinic on Eagle Street, which opened in 2013, and would offer supportive services including case management, support groups, emergency assistance, financial literacy classes, employment assistance and computer training.

At Large City Councilman Jim McFarland, who pushed for the approval of the project, applauded the decision Tuesday night.

"Veterans are people who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life," he said. "Remember all of our veterans."