Taft Homes

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Coordinates: 40°41′43.27″N 89°34′58.76″W / 40.6953528°N 89.5829889°W / 40.6953528; -89.5829889
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Taft Homes
Aerial overview of the Taft Homes
Map
General information
LocationPeoria, Illinois
Coordinates40°41′43.27″N 89°34′58.76″W / 40.6953528°N 89.5829889°W / 40.6953528; -89.5829889
StatusCompleted
Construction
Constructed1952
DemolishedPartially in 1996
Other information
Governing
body		Peoria Housing Authority

The Taft Homes are a public housing project located off the Illinois River in Peoria, Illinois. In total there are 200 apartments in Taft, housed in separate wood-framed buildings. The Taft Homes are currently in the early stages of a redevelopment project that calls for the demolition of all current units, with the lots then transformed into mixed-income housing.

History[edit]

The Taft Homes, named after Ohio senator Robert A Taft, were originally built in 1952 as a temporary means of shelter for veterans returning from the Korean War.[1][2] The buildings soon transitioned to low income housing and during the 1960s and 70s the housing project saw multiple violent riots. In 1968 ten police officers and a reporter were wounded after a minor incident turned into a race riot that lasted for around 3 hours.[3][4] A second major race riot occurred in 1970 after the police evicted two female residents from the Taft Homes; resulting in rioting that spread throughout other public housing projects in the city.[5] In 1996 all 220 units in the complex underwent comprehensive rehabilitation efforts by the city; the units received new siding, flooring and plumbing in order to make the buildings more energy efficient.[1] The renovation efforts also added, and updated parking, lighting, sidewalks as well as various landscaping work.[1] During its modernization effort the Housing Authority decided to demolish the 15 buildings closest to the river, that were known for illicit activities.[1] The United States Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Seabees and Illinois Air National Guard helped in the demolition effort.[1]

Redevelopment plan[edit]

Following the rehabilitation project of 1996 Peoria Public Housing decided to pursue a redevelopment of the units. The plan calls for a mixed income neighborhood, that could include some market rate homes, along the desirable Illinois River.[1][6] The first development would begin along the shoreline, an area left vacant by the demolition of the 15 original buildings located at the site.[1] Demolition of the current buildings would begin after the current residents find alternate housing options.[6]

Conditions[edit]

In 2019, ProPublica and The Southern Illinoisan reported that Taft Homes failed three of its five recent inspections.[7][8][9] Residents reported issues with mold, maggots, cockroaches, water damage, exposed gas pipes, uncovered outlets, and other code violations.[7][10][11][12] Police patrols of the area increased due to a high crime rate.[13][14][15][16][17]

Providence Pointe[edit]

On October 7 2021, groundbreaking began for the new Providence Pointe development.[18][19][20] The first phase of demolition was completed in September 2022 and construction for the new units began.[21] The new development plans for 142 affordable housing units, from one to five bedrooms.[21] Units will be completed in rolling sets of 50.[21] Instead of the barracks-style of Taft Homes, Providence Pointe will include townhouses and modern single-level houses.[18][22] Rent is based on income and family size, capped at 30% of adjusted gross income.[23][24] The estimated development cost is $43.7 million.[18]

The first residents moved into the new Providence Pointe units in September 2023.[10][25][23] Three Taft buildings remain; the Providence Pointe completion target date is March 2024.[10][23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Taft Homes". Peoria Housing Authority. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  2. ^ Lynn, Greg (2014-01-29). "Redeveloping Taft". Peoria Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  3. ^ "10 Policemen Wounded". The Evening Independent. The Evening Independent. July 30, 1968. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  4. ^ "10 Policeman and Newsman Wounded In Peoria Rioting". The Miami News. The Associated Press. July 30, 1968. p. 9. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  5. ^ "Sporadic gunfire at Cairo, Peoria". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. July 24, 1970. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  6. ^ a b Jackson, Denise (July 15, 2010). "Taft Homes Redeveloped". WEEK. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. ^ a b Cards, HUD’s House of (2019-12-12). "Inside Public Housing Where Cockroaches Drop From the Wall and Kids are Getting Sick". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  8. ^ Parker, Molly (2019-12-11). "2019 Taft Homes REAC Inspection". Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  9. ^ Chou, Molly Parker, Dan Nguyen, Sophie (2018-11-16). "HUD Inspect: See if Publicly Subsidized Housing Units Passed or Failed Government Inspections". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-10-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b c Carson, T. J. (2023-09-27). "Residents moving in and settling into first completed homes at former Taft Homes site". 1470 & 100.3 WMBD. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  11. ^ Alani, Hannah (2021-09-01). "'It's Deplorable': Neighbors, Activists Rally Around Family Living At Taft Homes". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  12. ^ Alani, Hannah (2021-09-08). "Peoria Housing Authority Board Responds To Taft Homes Concerns During Board Meeting". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  13. ^ Kravetz, Andy (2020-09-23). "Police stop training at Taft Homes after social media outcry". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  14. ^ Kravetz, Andy (2020-07-03). "Holiday weekend brings restrictions to Taft Homes". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  15. ^ Kravetz, Andy (2020-07-06). "Peoria Housing Authority pledges better communication after July 4th issues". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  16. ^ Luciano, Phil (2019-12-10). "Luciano: Years after NIMBY backlash, Taft Homes gets a willing neighbor". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  17. ^ Tarter, Steve (2018-07-25). "Taft Homes' challenges are persistent". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  18. ^ a b c Renken, Leslie (2021-10-14). "From Taft Homes to Providence Pointe: What to know about a new Peoria housing project". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  19. ^ Alani, Hannah (2021-10-08). "Work has begun on 'Providence Pointe,' the new development replacing Taft Homes". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  20. ^ "'Taft Homes' no more: 'Providence Pointe' will be the new name for troubled Peoria low-incoming housing complex". WCBU Peoria. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  21. ^ a b c Dalton, Alex (2022-09-19). "Construction starts at new Peoria housing development". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  22. ^ Kravetz, Andy (2021-03-24). "No more 'barracks': Initial Taft Homes construction, demolition could begin this summer". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  23. ^ a b c Schopp, Collin (2023-09-27). "Providence Pointe nears completion on former site of Taft Homes". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  24. ^ "Providence Pointe - Affordable Apartments in Peoria IL". Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  25. ^ Brooks, Brett (2023-09-26). "First Look at Providence Pointe, formerly Taft Homes". 25 News Now. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
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