Grand Opening Of Englewood Apartments
Published: October 4, 2010
Mercy Housing Lakefront and the City of Chicago today celebrated the grand opening of Englewood Apartments, a 99-unit building that utilizes state-of-the-art design and technology to provide safe, supportive and environmentally-friendly homes for previously homeless citizens of Chicago.
Englewood Apartments, 901 West 63rd Street
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley presided over the morning ribbon cutting, and was joined by Alderman JoAnn Thompson, Mercy Board Chair John Powell, Mercy President Cindy Holler, Englewood Apartments resident Dan Taylor and a representative from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
Englewood Apartments provides permanent housing for 99 Chicagoans who were previously homeless or are facing housing instability. Residents have access to a full compliment of services including on site property management, case management, leadership training and educational/employment services.
“Mercy Housing Lakefront’s mission is to create vibrant, stable, healthy communities,” said Cindy Holler, president, Mercy Housing Lakefront. “We do that by developing quality affordable housing. We’re especially pleased that Englewood Apartments is an important part of Chicago’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and an important part of the revitalization of Englewood.”
A Common Goal
The six-story project, located at 901 West 63rd Street, is the result of the strong partnership formed by Mercy Housing Lakefront, the City of Chicago, IHDA and the Englewood community. The $17 million project is financed by a blend of public and private partners including US Bank, the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, IHDA, USG, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
“Developments such as Englewood Apartments are tremendously important to IHDA because they support our mission to provide secure and quality affordable homes to help homeless persons,” said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director.
“Mercy Housing Lakefront listened to the community and responded with a project that addressed our needs,” said 16th ward Alderman JoAnn Thompson. “Even in the face of today’s economic uncertainty, Mercy Housing found a way to make this happen. It’s a testament to what can happen when people work together toward a common goal.”
Green Housing in Englewood
Englewood Apartments includes the latest advancements in green technology. The building has a hybrid geothermal heating and cooling system. Solar panels heat water for use throughout the building. A green roof helps control cooling costs. A run-off containment pond conserves water after heavy rains to keep sewers from overflowing. ??Internally, all units will have ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances; low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads; and windows that help keep rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.?? Mercy Housing Lakefront will apply for Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (L.E.E.D.) status for the building later this year.
The project received generous philanthropic support from Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Charter One Foundation, Citi Foundation, Equity Residential, Fannie Mae Foundation, Northern Trust Charitable Trust, Pierce and Associates, US Bank, and the Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust.
About Mercy Housing Lakefront
Mercy Housing Lakefront, a regional business center of Mercy Housing, Inc., is a non-profit affordable housing organization providing innovative housing solutions in response to community needs. Mercy Housing Lakefront has developed and currently manages 16 properties serving more than 2,000 residents.
Mercy Housing Lakefront is working with various partners to leverage $1 billion over seven years to address the housing crisis in the Chicago and Milwaukee regions by building or preserving 5,000 apartments; facilitating the acquisition, rehabilitation and reoccupation of 2,250 foreclosed homes; boarding-up and protecting 4,500 vacant homes; and creating 8,000 jobs.??Mercy Housing Lakefront is the Great Lakes region business center of Mercy Housing, Inc.
Please find more information at mercyhousinglakefront.org.