History

Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC) was born from a vision of fairness and community.

Back in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the Winnetka Village Green and called for racial justice in housing. His words inspired local leaders to act. In 1983, they came together to form the Interfaith Housing Development Corporation (IHDC), a group dedicated to making fair and affordable housing a reality in the suburbs.

At that time, affordable housing options were disappearing across the Chicago area. Families were struggling to find safe, stable homes they could afford. IDHC’s work led to the creation of a new community-based nonprofit—one with a mission to open doors and build opportunity for people with limited incomes.

That organization grew into today’s HODC. For more than 40 years, we have been helping individuals and families find not just housing, but a place to belong, grow, and thrive.

2021

  • Purchased office building in Skokie as permanent home for HODC administration offices
  • Developed Cleland Place

2020

  • Developed Spruce Village

2019

  • Developed Cary Senior Living
  • Developed Heart’s Place

2015

  • Developed Axley Place

2014

  • Development North Suburban Supportive Housing

2013

  • Developed McHenry NSP

2010

  • Developed Conrad Apts

2005

  • Developed Northbrook/Northfield houses for homeless

2004

  • Developed Morton Grove Senior Apartments

2003

  • Acquired Jackson and Dewey duplexes
  • Began Evanston Employer Assisted Housing program

2002

  • Changed name to Housing Opportunity Development Corporation
  • Developed projects for WINGS and for WilPower in Skokie

2001

  • Developed 319 Dempster, Evanston

2000

  • Developed 131 Callan, Evanston
  • Started Fundraising program

1999

  • Approved to develop Highland Park Senior project (Sunset Woods)
  • Co-sponsored North Shore Housing Issues Forum

1998

  • Developed 743 Brummel, Evanston
  • Began Property Management program
  • Started Housing Counseling program

1997

  • Director Richard Koenig

1994

  • Developed 4845 Conrad, Skokie

1993

  • Director Gail Schechter

1989

  • Director Barbara Boyts

1986

  • Developed first project as limited partnership, 4831 Conrad, Skokie

1985

  • Director Marianne Rosen

1984

  • Incorporated as Interfaith Housing Development Corporation

1983

  • Founded by North Shore Interfaith Housing Council
  • Director Rayna Miller