Vera French Manor Open House Scheduled

The finishing touches are being made on the Vera French Manor and the Vera French Housing Corporation, (VFHC), is ready to show off their latest project. A ribbon cutting and open house will be held Wednesday, February 26, from 1-4 p.m. (ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m.) at the facility at 215 East 37th Street in Davenport, Iowa.

The Vera French Manor is a 10-unit apartment complex designed to provide housing for the long-term mentally ill. This group faces many challenges in life including limited income. Not only do tenants of the Vera French Housing facilities receive quality housing at an affordable rent, they receive support from other Vera French programs such as case management and community support services, making this program unique to the needs of the mentally ill.

Dean Drexel, executive director of VFHC, sees Vera French Manor as a solution-based development. "Living in substandard or inappropriate housing can add to mental health problems and make it more difficult for people to maintain community living. Vera French Manor will ensure these persons have a decent, affordable place to live and most important a place to call home."

The need for affordable housing is significant in Scott County. Vera French Commons, built two years ago, has a three-year waiting list. Housing remains the primary need of consumers in other Vera French programs.

This 1.3 million dollar development, built by Russell Construction, was made possible through the Iowa Finance Authority's Housing Tax Credit Program. Heartland Properties, Inc., a division of Alliant Energy, is Vera French's equity partner. Their funding in partnership with many other sources ensured the success of the project.

"There's no doubt that the partnership between Heartland Properties and Vera French Housing Corp. has brought much needed affordable housing to persons with special needs in the Davenport area," said Scott Fitzpatrick, Iowa Housing Manager-Heartland Properties. "The success of Vera French Manor clearly illustrates our commitment to improve and increase independent-living opportunities for persons with special needs."

Other partners for the project include:
Iowa Finance Authority
Iowa Department of Economic Development
City of Davenport
Scott County Regional Authority
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend
Scott County Housing Council
Wells Fargo Bank
Vera French Foundation
Vera French Community Mental Health Center
Vera French Housing Corporation
St. Ambrose University Occupational Therapy Department

In addition to the open house on Wednesday, February 26th, advanced viewings of the housing units and interviews with new tenants are available for news media prior to the ribbon cutting by appointment. Please contact the housing corporation office at 563-445-7977 for more information.