RHDC Breaks Ground on new PlatFORM Group Name, Celebrates Upcoming Groundbreaking for new Affordable Housing Solutions
A key community meeting was held Wednesday, January 24 marking the occasion. Held at the West Side Church of God in Christ, the meeting was hosted by Lead Pastor Maurice West, Sr, and his son, State Rep Maurice West alongside Jerry Lumpkins, PlatFORM Group Board Chairman and David Sidney, Place Foundry Founder & CEO.
At the event, leaders explored critical affordable housing progress on South Avon and Cedar streets in downtown Rockford – specifically new, affordable Single-family homes and Artists Lofts and Retail Spaces.
Attending the meeting were a vibrant mix of stakeholders including Habitat for Humanity, elected officials, local downtown residents, project contractors and future project tenants. Lumpkin’s and Sidney’s presentation of the planning and design documents was met with enthusiasm as attendees recognized the tangible progress being made against the challenges of affordable housing in Rockford.
Jerry Lumpkins said, “as a volunteer board, we’ve worked hard to combat our community’s affordable housing crisis for a very long time. In fact, our commitment has never been stronger. It feels good to announce we will soon begin construction of Single-Family Homes and unique Artists Lofts and Retail spaces this coming summer.”
Ron Clewer, VP of the PlatFORM Group board, noted that the organization has “broken ground” on a new name, logo and website, as well.
“We are excited to announce our new name, PlatFORM Group, which distinguishes us from the Rockford Housing Authority and alleviates confusion between our two organizations that has endured for years,” said Ron Clewer, PlatFORM Group VP. “Our new brand is a call to action for both private and public sectors to address the affordable housing crisis that threatens working people in our community.”
Lumpkins emphasized the importance of education. ”Our new brand is also a signal that we will remain a platform for citizen education. We will strive to educate our commu-nity about the affordable housing crisis, because it threatens the economic and physical health of far too many citizens to be ignored,” he said.
The meeting also brought to light the enthusiasm of the development’s first artist tenants, Jenny Matthews and Jeremy Klonicki.
“We so look forward to making art in our new home in this historic building. This project is not only a crucial beginning in combating our affordable housing crisis, but it’s incredi-bly exciting just on its design merits,” said Matthews. “We can’t wait to move in.”
Click here to view the Place Foundry presentation deck, presented at the meeting by Founder and CEO David Sidney at the January 24th meeting.
