We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our affordable housing project, Karwick Village. Thanks to generous funding through the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, supported by the Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII program, we have been granted the final piece of funding needed to begin site development and Phase 1 construction of our affordable housing project. This grant, when combined with the generous financial support of donors and the American Rescue Plan funding match from Michigan City and La Porte County, completes our Phase 1 funding goal.
This transformative gift for our Karwick Village project is part of Unity Foundation’s recent $3.6 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
“This funding marks a crucial turning point for our project,” said Sandi Keller, Homeward Bound President. “With Phase 1 funding now complete, we can move forward with site development and begin planning for the construction process that will bring much-needed affordable housing to our community.”
Phase 1 of our affordable housing project will include site development work, such as bringing water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure to the site. Also included in Phase 1 is the construction of two of our housing units. There is also the possibility of moving our community center into phase 1. This community building is essentially the beating heart of Karwick Village. Aside from housing laundry facilities, it is a shared space that fosters community, a place where our cooperative board will meet, and a place where the community can come together in shared experiences like a community meal or a class.
We are actively working to have site development work begin this spring, with the goal of construction of phase one to begin shortly after. It is our organization’s goal, fueled by this funding injection, to be able to welcome residents to Karwick Village before the end of this year.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Unity Foundation of La Porte County and Lilly Endowment Inc. for their vital support in making affordable housing accessible to our community members through our project at Karwick Village. This partnership exemplifies how collaborative community investment can create lasting positive change for local residents.
“This funding allows Homeward Bound Villages to live our mission, creating community through affordable housing,” Sandi Keller said. “We are grateful for the shared vision that the Unity Foundation has in alignment with our organization to bring affordable housing to La Porte County now. This is a unique time in the development of La Porte County as a whole, and especially in the housing stock. The need for affordable housing has never been more apparent, and we are grateful that The Unity Foundation recognizes this need in our community.
You can read more about this announcement from The Unity Foundation here.