Community Matters Newsletter – Fall 2012

Mercy Housing Lakefront (MHL) was recently awarded a $250,000 grant from the Polk Bros. Foundation to support affordable rental housing preservation projects in Chicago. This renewed and increased grant will be awarded over the course of two years. Two of the primary projects that have been supported by this grant are the Pullman Wheelworks Apartments and the Harold Washington Apartments.

“We are honored to receive this generous gift from the Polk Bros. Foundation,” said Cindy Holler, MHL President. “We are grateful for their ongoing support and for their commitment to preserving affordable rental housing throughout Chicago for low-income families and individuals in need.”

Over the course of the two-year grant period, Mercy Housing Lakefront will:

• Complete the preservation and rehab construction of the 158-unit Lavergne Courts Apartments and 101-unit Washington Courts
• Complete the preservation and rehab construction of the 70-unit Harold Washington Apartments
• Close on financing to acquire and begin renovation to preserve the 210-unit Pullman Wheelworks
• Complete the preservation and rehab construction of the 231-unit 850 Eastwood Apartments

“The Polk Bros. Foundation has funded the work of Mercy Housing Lakefront for over 20 years. We have been deeply impressed by recent efforts to make buildings greener and keep them affordable for tenants while improving their long-term financial sustainability,” said Nikki Stein, Executive Director of Polk Bros. Foundation. “The Polk Bros. Foundation board was so impressed by the work done under our prior grant, that it was pleased to approve a significant increase and a two-year grant.”