CHICAGO-Construction on the second phase of the Hope Manor Apartments, a supportive housing development designed to assist financially distressed veterans and their families, began today at a ceremony here.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, along officials with the Volunteers of America of Illinois, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for the 73-unit apartment development.

“We have a duty to provide Illinois veterans with the support they deserve after serving our country,” Gov. Quinn says “Veterans often return to a unique set of challenges during the transition to civilian life, and this new community will address their family needs during this time. We must always take care of our veterans on the home front, just as they have taken care of us.”

Illinois Housing Development Authority provided an $800,000 loan to finance the Hope Manor II development located at 60th and Halsted streets in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. The campus-style community will feature single-family town homes and apartments built around a park, all located on a three-acre site donated by the city of Chicago.

Hope Manor II Apartments also received a $190,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant, as well as a $1.9-million federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program loan and a $3-million tax-increment financing grant from the city of Chicago.

The development is the second phase of the Volunteers of America's Hope Manor Project. The IHDA provided federal stimulus funds and federal tax credit financing for the 50-unit Hope Manor Apartments, which held its grand opening in May 2012 in East Garfield Park.

The first phase of construction for Hope Manor II Apartments is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013, with a final completion date of June 2014.