Iroquois Homes Master Plan & Senior Living Center

Louisville Metro Housing Authority’s (LMHA) development known as Iroquois Homes was first developed on vacant farmland, circa 1937 and demolished in 2012. The original Iroquois Homes development located within 2 miles of the well-known Olmsted Park – Iroquois Park, featured 854 apartments. The development was bound on three sides by single-family homes and to the north, Interstate 264. It is also one block east of Taylor Blvd a major N-S connector that includes commercial and retail establishments.

Understanding the desires of the community and knowing LMHA did not want to rebuild to the original density, the master plan developed by the design team draws from the nearby Iroquois Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods to develop two strategies:

1. Connect the new development to the existing neighborhood street patterns.
2. Establish a greenway/ greenbelt that would promote connectivity and activity inside the new neighborhood and the adjacent neighborhood.

Evaluating massing, adjacencies, and density, the design team strategically developed the placement of homes, parking, and circulation within the planned redevelopment area. The new multi-family development will feature single-family duplex row houses and multi-family homes.

While the design is still in process and evolving for the entire development, a grant from the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund in American Rescue Plan, will provide the necessary funds to implement Phase I – a new Senior Living Center. Based on the needs analysis provided as part of the master planning exercise, it was determined that the greatest housing need in the community is affordable senior homes. Phase I – the new Iroquois Homes Senior Living Center will cover approximately three acres and offer landscaping and lighted paved walk paths. The building features secure entrances and offices for administration, a lounge, and meeting spaces, as well as 60 one-bedroom apartments. Additional amenities include laundries on each floor and a first-floor Café for lite gatherings, with access to outdoor seating areas.

As the design continues to develop for the remaining 43-acres, the approach to the phased implementation of the development, including infrastructure needs for the future phases will remain focused on the housing needs in the area by providing a mix of affordable housing units and amenities as determined by the needs analysis and voiced by the community.