Additional senior housing is coming to Deerfield, with a groundbreaking ceremony last week marking the start of construction on the Deerfield Supportive Living Facility. Deputy Village Manager and Director of Community Development Andrew Lichterman said the village is “proud” to have the development, which addresses two key issues. It’s a type of housing missing both in Deerfield and the broader region, he said, as demographics continue to shift. “This is an important amenity to bring to the community,” Lichterman said. “It’s all affordable. It’s assisted living. This is in high demand, and an important amenity that can serve the community and the demographic population that needs these services.” State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, shared Lichterman’s assessment, describing the project as a “model for future developments.” “The Deerfield Supportive Living Facility is a win for our community,” Morgan said. “It addresses a critical need for senior housing, while also reflecting our shared values of care and inclusivity.” The development will also transform an “underutilized” office building property, Lichterman said, as office markets continue to struggle since the pandemic. By demolishing the office building and developing something new, the village is, “bringing value to the property and the community,” he said. It’s a common trend throughout the village, with other former office building properties getting transformed into residential, retail and even entertainment developments, Lichterman said. It’s a way to “strengthen the economic vitality and commercial property tax base” for Deerfield residents. “We want to keep these complementary uses in the office park that can support the offices that continue to exist, and ensure we don’t have dated office buildings sitting vacant and being a blight in the community,” he said. According to a news release, the development will have 147 affordable, supportive living residences. The project “exemplifies the importance” of the Illinois Supportive Living Program, which offers personal care and services for low-income seniors and people with physical disabilities living independently, it said. In the release, state House Speaker Emmanuel Welch said he was “proud to have played a role” in the project. “This project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing for seniors in Illinois,” he said. “It’s a testament to what we can achieve when the public and private sectors work together toward a common goal.” In December 2024, developers secured real estate financing from Cook County and the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The facility, utilizing bond capital from Cook County, will be 100% affordable. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the county was proud to support the “transformative development” through its bond financing program. “This project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to expanding affordable housing options and improving the quality of life for seniors across the region,” she said.