Mercy Housing Lakefront will now be able to continue their work of creating and preserving affordable housing opportunities in areas outside of Chicago – particularly in Kane and Kankakee Counties—thanks to a $125,000 grant from Grand Victoria Foundation.

“We are honored to receive this generous award from Grand Victoria Foundation” said Cindy Holler, Mercy Housing Lakefront President. “We are thankful that Grand Victoria Foundation shares in our mission to provide affordable housing to those who need it most, and this award will help continue our efforts to do just that.”

Mercy Housing Lakefront will utilize a portion of thegrant funds to pay for predevelopment activities to renovatethe area surrounding the Provena St. Mary’s Hospital. In partnership with Provena Health/ResurrectionHealth Care, the City of Kankakee, Kankakee Housing Authority and Kankakee Valley Park District, Mercy Housing Lakefront will create 70 units of senior housing in a facility adjacent to the Provena St. Mary’s campus that will include a senior-oriented health clinic. In addition to providing much needed senior services, this project enhances the sustainability and competitiveness of the region by creating green energy-efficient properties, providing housing that is located near transportation, jobs and services, and begins the implementation of the City’s master plan for the neighborhood.

MHL will also utilize a portion of grant funds to pay for costs to explore sites in Kane County amenable to housing that is close to jobs and transportation and continue implementation of the Kane County NSP Program in Carpentersville and South Elgin.

“It has been gratifying to work with Mercy Housing Lakefront as they work towards revitalizingneighborhoods throughout Kane and Kankakee counties,” Grand Victoria Foundation Executive Director Nancy Fishman said. “Their efforts contribute to a healthy economy though affordable housing opportunities, job creation and energy efficient design.”

About the Grand Victoria Foundation

Grand Victoria Foundation provides strategic funding to Illinois organizations working for long-lasting economic,educational and environmental change. Since it was established in 1996 by the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin,Illinois, the Foundation has provided more than $145 million in grants to help communities across the state becomevibrant places to live and work. Through grant making and leadership initiatives, Grand Victoria Foundationsupports five elements of great communities: good jobs, a healthy environment, great places for kids, capableorganizations and homegrown philanthropy. The Foundation has offices in Chicago and Elgin. For more information, please visit www.grandvictoriafdn.org or call 312.609.0200.

About Mercy Housing Lakefront

Mercy Housing is addressing the Chicago and Milwaukee regional foreclosure and housing crisis and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the region by working with partners to build or preserve 7,500 affordable homes, help 2,000 families avoid foreclosure, create 8,000 jobs, and prevent displacement or homelessness for 20,000 people. Mercy Housing Lakefront (MHL) has developed and currently manages 23 properties with 3,300 residents. Mercy Portfolio Services (MPS) is a national foreclosure remediation leader and manages the City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program. MHL and MPS are part of Mercy Housing, a national organization that has developed, preserved, or financed 40,000 affordable homes. Please find more information atmercyhousing.org.