In a time when there are more vehicles on the road than ever, What we need is more driving space and better visibility, Not planters obstructing our vision. That space could have been used to widen the street to ease traffic congestion. Other money is being spent on setting up blue lite police cameras and ticket cams which dot our neighborhood. Is it too unreasonable to think that maybe revenue money would be used to benefit the people who are paying them? How about fixing our streets?..The ones that need fixing. The ones we have been maneuvering around for months.

The Wentworth Commons

Opening Summer 2005

This summer the Wentworth Commons will become a home to as many as 182 men, women, and children who were formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness. The attractive building will be more than a roof to its tenants. Supportive services—case management, employment training, and leadership development—equips tenants with the tools, skills, and inspiration necessary to restake their claim in society.

Building Features

There are 51 units total:

• 3 four-bedroom apartments
• 15 three-bedroom apartments for families
• 9 two-bedroom apartments for families
• 24 efficiency apartments for individual adults

Office spaces on the first floor allow case managers and property managers to meet privately with tenants.

A family resource center, community kitchen and large multi-purpose room encourage fellowship among tenants.

There is a laundry room and lounge on each of the building's three residential floors.

Green, energy efficient design elements were incorporated throughout the building:

• Photovoltaic panels and an integrated heat recovery system help to conserve energy.
• Non-toxic, recycled building materials provide for a healthier living environment.

A number of units are available only to homeless persons with disabilities.

Most of the units rented will be furnished.

All utilities are included in the rent.

24-hour desk clerks monitor the entrance to the building.

Other lake front supportive housing projects/

The Holland Apartments

248 West 107th Place
Built: 1920-50's
Renovated: 2001
Size: 55,960 square feet
Number of Units: 73 SRO units, 4 two-bedrooms and 4 three bedrooms
Typical SRO: 250 square feet
Typical two bedroom: 800 square feet
Typical three bedroom: 900 square feet
Architect: Environ, Inc.

Originally a retirement home, the Holland Apartments feature 110 sleeping rooms, a large commercial kitchen, adining hall, and a social hall. Built in three sections over the course of 30 years, the building has an atypical shape for an SRO. The "E-like" shape of the building required a great deal of creativity in laying out the units. The Holland Apartments is Lakefront's first building to contain units for single adults as well as families, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

All of these building are rehabs of existing property except The south loop apartments on 15th South Wabash and 111th South Wentworth common building.

The Wentworth commons ignores the Architecture of the surrounding homes, The Wentworth commons building seems suggest the planning of a major change in the appearence of the community. An attempt to replace the solid historic look with one of modern frills. Out of place in this location.

 Lakefront Supportive Housing

currently operates the following nine supportive-housing buildings in Chicago's Lakeview, Uptown, South Loop, and Roseland communities.

The Belray Apartments
The Carlton Terrace Apartments
The Delmar Apartments
The Harold Washington Apartments
The Holland Apartments
The Major Jenkins Apartments
The Malden Arms Apartments
The Miriam Apartments
The South Loop Apartments
The Wentworth Commons

For more information on our housing options, call 312-447-4621