AS AN EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUILDING FOR SENIORS THAT HAD FALLEN INTO SERIOUS DISREPAIR, HOLLYWOOD HOUSE WAS A PRIME CANDIDATE TO BE CONVERTED INTO CONDOS AND DISPLACE ITS RESIDENTS. HEARTLAND HOUSING THOUGHTFULLY REHABBED AND PRESERVED 197 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS.
In 2006 Heartland Housing was contacted by Alderman Mary Ann Smith serving the 48th Ward, she was concerned about the state of disrepair and numerous code violations at Hollywood House, an affordable housing building for seniors. Obtaining financing and beginning construction during 2008, at the onset of a major economic downturn, required diligence and determination. Many of the surrounding buildings in the Edgewater neighborhood were undergoing gut rehabs and conversion into condos. It was important to our organization that Hollywood House remain an affordable housing property and not displace over one hundred senior residents who were currently living there.
Another logistical challenge was beginning the rehab process on the structure while the residents were still in place. We were able to take advantage of vacant units, temporarily moving residents into them, while working on occupied areas of the building. In partnership with our general contractor we held weekly meetings in order to listen and respond to resident concerns during construction, and keep them updated on the progress of the project.
During the process of modernizing Hollywood House we installed solar thermal panels to supplement hot water usage, as well as including green modular flooring in the corridors and common areas. In meeting with tenants we responded to their ideas for regarding the ways in which common spaces could support greater community engagement, these ideas included a gardening project and outdoor plaza area.
Hollywood House is now almost at capacity and home to a new affordable medical office providing services to our residents. While the logistics of rehabbing the building were challenging, the importance of retaining 197 units of affordable housing for neighborhood seniors, of being able to reassure them that they would have a safe, clean, well-maintained home for the last years of their lives, was more than enough motivation to navigate the difficulties.
Funders
- Illinois Housing Development Authority
- City of Chicago
- Chicago Housing Authority
- National Equity Fund
- PNC Bank, N.A.
- Harris Bank
Development Team
- Heartland Housing- Developer, property manager
- Holabird & Root- Architects
- Madison Construction- General Contractor
- HUD Mortgage Broker- Developers Mortgage Corporation
- Bond Consultant- Universal Structured Finance Group, Inc.
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