What a fantastic day we had at the groundbreaking ceremony for Zion Woods on Tuesday, April 23rd! Over 70 community members, leaders, and supporters came together to celebrate the successful launch of this long-awaited project.

The Importance of Community

Distinguished guests shared remarks, including Deerfield Mayor Daniel Shapiro, Congressman Brad Schneider, Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison, Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan, and Christine Moran from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Their presence underscored the importance of Zion Woods for Deerfield and the critical role of affordable housing in our communities.

A Future Where Everyone Has a Place to Call Home

Shovels in hand, we marked the beginning of construction on Zion Woods. This project took ten years of HODC, Brinshore Development, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Village of Deerfield working together to create this much-needed development. 

Quotes that Captured the Spirit of the Day

The energy and commitment of those involved were truly inspiring. Here are some quotes that captured the spirit of the day:

  • Deerfield Mayor Daniel Shapiro: “Today is a shining moment for us. We can all be very proud of the opportunities that we’re going to afford 25 families that otherwise would not be able to be in this community.”
  • Congressman Brad Schneider: “[Deerfield] is a truly special community and to see it [Zion Woods] coming together and saying we can do something to make Deerfield a better place, to make Lake County a better place, I think that’s really something that deserves all the kudos.”
  • IL Senator Julie Morrison: “A coalition has been put together that is building this site that is going to construct the roads and the homes. But the next coalition that needs to come together are the people who will support these new families… and [who] will need to be welcomed with our hearts and with our arms.”
  • IL Representative Bob Morgan: “I live block and a half from here. So this is my community… I want to thank all of you, particularly Zion Lutheran Church who stood up and said that this really is where our community needs to go to support those that need support and help.”
  • Christine Moran, IHDA: “Here in Deerfield, it’s estimated that a renter working full time needs to earn $36 an hour or about $75,000 a year to afford a modest one bedroom apartment without a rent burden. IHDA is committed to working with Brinshore and HODC to build more affordable housing across the state. Zion Woods will be a community that provides access for residents who will have the chance to save money, live near employment centers and access valuable community and amenities.”
  • Richard Koenig, Executive Director of HODC: “It has been the perseverance of everybody who has been involved with the project so long who really helped make this a reality.”
  • David Brint, Co-Founder of Brinshore Development: “Working families will live in a beautiful environment, eight acres of beautiful land that will be contoured and designed for their living in a wonderful community.”

  • Sue Juhl and Sue Lindsley, Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church Council Co-Chairs: “We are incredibly blessed to be able to share our property for this housing… We are a welcoming congregation and it’s so exciting to have this right here on the edge of Deerfield where the whole community can be welcoming to a bunch of diverse individuals.”

Stay Connected!

Construction is officially underway at Zion Woods! We will be sharing updates on the progress throughout the development process. Follow HODC on social media or visit our website to stay connected.

Thank you again for being a part of this historic moment!

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Five men and women wearing white hard hats pose with shovels on a construction site with a large excavator in the background.
A group of people, some wearing white hard hats are smiling as they shovel dirt on a construction site with large construction vehicles in the background.
Two women stand a podium while one speaks into a microphone. A white man stands to the side signing and other men and women watch the speaker.
People sitting and standing watching a panel of speakers taking turns speaking at a podium.
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A white man with brown hair, wearing a navy suit with a white shirt and lavender tie speaks into a mic at a podium. Another white man wearing a black blazer over a black shirt and tan pants, is gesturing next him in ASL.
A white woman with shoulder-length blond hair, wearing a black blazer over a light lavender blouse speaks into a mic at a podium. A white man wearing a black blazer over a black shirt and tan pants, is gesturing next him in ASL.
A bald white man wearing a blue blazer, maroon tie, and light blue checkered shirt speaks into a mic at a podium. Another white man wearing a black blazer over a black shirt and tan pants, is gesturing next him in ASL.
A white woman with shoulder-length blond hair, wearing a light blazer over a muli-colored blouse, speaks into a mic at a podium.
A white hard hat is perched on a golden shovel sticking out of dirt at a construction site with several shovels lined up in the background.
Professionaly dressed people standing on a construction site on a sunny day. Equipment in the background.
Professionally dressed people stand in front of a large excavator on a construction site.
A group of people, some wearing white hard hats pose with shovels on a construction site with large construction vehicles in the background.
Two men wearing business suits shake hands as they talk with a woman wearing a black outfit. Large construction equipment in the background.
A white man with short salt and pepper hair, wearing a light grey blazer, gold and brown tie, and light blue shirt speaks into a mic at a podium. Another white man wearing a black blazer over a black shirt and tan pants, is gesturing next him in ASL.
A white man with short salt and pepper hair, wearing a navy blazer and a white shirt speaks into a mic at a podium. Another white man wearing a black blazer over a black shirt and tan pants, is gesturing next him in ASL.
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A white man speaks into a mic at a podium as a white man signs next to him. Four men and women sit next to the podium listening. The back of the heads of the audience are in the foreground.
A white man speaks into a mic at a podium as a white man signs next to him. Several men sit next to the podium listening. The back of the heads of the audience are in the foreground.
A white hard hat is perched on a golden shovel sticking out of dirt at a construction site with a large excavator in the background.
Professionally dressed men and women stand outside in front of a light brown brick building. Budding trees are in the background.
A white hardhat with a green HODC logo with a blurred construction site in the background.
A lone red fire hydrant rises from a rocky construction site. Two gold shovels lean against the fire hydrant. Construction vehicles are in the background on a sunny day.
A white hard hat is perched on a golden shovel sticking out of dirt at a construction site with a large excavator in the background.
Gold shovels are sticking up from a pile of dirt in front of two large construction excavators.
A table with a table runner with the HODC logo and various paperwork.
Two cold shovels lean against a red fire hydrant sticking up from a rocky construction site. A construction vehicle and construction materials are visible in the background.