Norwegian American Hospital announced that it donated property through a 99-year land lease to the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC), a move that symbolizes a long-term, shared commitment to Chicago veterans and their quality of life.

The property will be used to construct a four-story brick and masonry elevator apartment complex with 48 units and an on-site manager to accommodate our veterans and their families. The first floor will provide individual counseling rooms as well as classroom/meeting space and a business center with computers. The residence will be named the 65th Infantry Regiment Veterans Apartments in honor of the Borinqueneers – an all-volunteer Puerto Rican unit in the 3rd Division in the United States Army. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2015.

“Our service men and women are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom and way of life, said Billy Ocasio,” chairman of the Norwegian American Hospital Board of Trustees. Norwegian American Hospital will provide on-site support for the complex which will be comprised of a clinical case manager, an asset development coordinator and a part-time clinical counselor. Norwegian American staff will coordinate services with the tenants and maintain responsibility for linking tenants to other resources within the hospital and the community.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have protected our way of life and freedom. One way we can say ‘thank you’ to them is by assuring that these brave men and women have a healthy quality of life,” said José R. Sánchez, Norwegian American Hospital president and CEO.