Residents of an uptown apartment building, including several disability, got once again last week when a Cook County judge shut down the possible auction and sale of his affordable building until at least summer. Leyland Apartments was part of the Hartland Housing, a non -profit developer, collapsed in 2023, which placed the building under the threat of criminal.
Working with the hostage holder, city and state officials made a plan for Mercy Housing, an affordable housing non-profit body that owns and operates dozens of chikagolland properties to handle the lests of the 1920s era Is, reinstatement in the building, enhances resident services and preserve its strength.
“While the deal is not yet final and pending the necessary reviews and approval, we remain optimistic about achieving this result,” said Mercy Housing spokesman Kate Peterson said.
Residents and community advocates, who for the last one year pressurized the authorities to keep the 137-unit building from the auction block, praising the new plan, saying it would avoid the possible changes of Leyland in luxury housing.
“This means that we are going to be able to live and do not have to worry about the accommodation, which is very good,” Jeff Martin said, a 61 -year -old, who in 2022, 1207 w. Leyland moved to Leyland at Avenue. A stroke left him unable to work.
The six -storey building was one of the more than two dozen heartland housing properties, providing hundreds of inexpensive units simultaneously, many are at the greatest risk of being homeless, including senior, giants and disabled or mental health issues. The non -profit organization struggled properly and maintained the properties after a decline in the fare collection in the wake of epidemic, and many residents complained about lack of security, high vacancy rates and deteriorating physical conditions.
In 2023, the court appointed a non -profit community initiative, running the initiative of the city’s troubled buildings, which is a receiver to oversee the portfolio of Heartland. Along with city and state officials, last year it prepared new owners to keep units cheaper for most portfolio of Heartland. But it proved difficult to find a group ready to handle Leyland.
The Mercy Community Capital, the non-profit lending hand of Danver-based Mercy Housing, holds the hostage of Leyland. According to court documents, the property was losing money and a hostage of $ 2 million was by default. In October, the non -profit organization asked the judge of a Cook County to allow a criminal and auction, stating the court in an affidavit that it reached more than 30 potential buyers without success.
Vice President Brian Sample said, “Due to extreme needs in the property, none of these potential owners is ready to occupy the property.”
But the city and state housing officials then signed an agreement with mercy to call the sale. Instead, it will now come with its financial plan to receive ownership, launch necessary renewal and preserve the power of Leyland.
Michael Cox, spokesman of the Chicago Department of Housing, said, “Aaj to date, we have completed the transfer or identified a new owner for all, but one of the heartland housing property is, and they are cheap options for residents Will remain. ”
Under the new ownership, Hollywood House, already in Hartland Properties, 5700 N in Edguevatter Neberhood. 12-storey building for seniors on Sheridan Road, and Town Hall Apartments, 3600 N. Halstead ST includes a modern, 79-units cheap building for LGBTQ seniors. In the neighborhood, the two, both took the affordable housing provider Purna Chakra communities last year. The national non-profit conservation of the affordable housing handled several heartland properties on the west, including the 89-Unit Harvest Commons 1519 W Warren Block. In the west loop.
Mercy Housing and Government Officer at July hearing William B. Will report progress on his plans for Leyland to judge Sulivan.
The advocacy group with a community organizer Dordy Hester said, “We appreciate that the residents have attended the court hearing since June, and the judges have always been very inclusive, and they have heard that they have heard that they What to say. ” Northern part.
Martin stated that it is important to preserve affordable housing, especially for the disabled, in the uptown, a gentriferous lakefront neighborhood where developers have built a lot of luxury houses.
“This is a walkable neighborhood and everything is accessible,” he said.
Hester stated that residents and a north arid, who advocate for affordable housing, neighborhood safety and clean energy, are breathing relief, but will continue to monitor how Mercy Housing plans take shape.
“No one has made any promise to the residents directly.”