$10.6 Million Development Brings 63 SROs to Grand Boulevard Community

Mayor Richard M. Daley today officially opened the Washington Park Single Room Occupancy (SRO), a new $10.6 million affordable and environmentally-friendly housing development for Chicago's neediest individuals and families in the Grand Boulevard Community on the City's South Side.

"We know that affordable and permanent supportive housing is critical in helping people at risk of homelessness find stability so they can access employment services, health care, and mental health and addiction services," said Mayor Daley during a ribbon cutting in the lobby of the development located at 5000 S. Indiana. "Washington SRO will hopefully provide the permanent solution they need to break out of the cycle of poverty and despair."

Each SRO in the 63-unit development includes 659 square feet and a kitchenette and private bathroom. Half the units are for those who endured homeless and half are for public housing residents.

The complex also offers a wide variety of support services designed to assist in the transition from homelessness and will enable residents to live as independently as possible.

"The project furthers the City's commitment to preserve and provide affordable housing with support services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, which is the cornerstone of the City's 10 year Plan to End Homelessness," said Mayor Daley.

The building originally opened in 1950 as the Washington Park YMCA and was a center of community activity. The Affordable Housing Preservation Foundation preserved and adapted the building for new use in order to keep affordable housing in the community and restore it as a symbol of civic pride.

The City of Chicago invested nearly $900,000 in low-income housing tax credits, to generate $9.2 million in equity for the project. Other significant investments included $750,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority Trust Fund, $500,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank, $450,000 in energy efficiency grants and $400,000 from HUD's Supportive Housing Program.

Washington Park SRO is also an example of how green practices can be incorporated into affordable housing design and construction to minimize environmental impact and reduce energy consumption.

The building's geothermal heat pumps, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, solar hot water heating system, solar panels and green roof will lower electric and water bills. As a result, the added savings will go towards funds for other uses, including supportive services for tenants.

The Affordable Housing Preservation Foundation also plans to obtain the Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating for the development.

"I'd like to thank everyone who was involved with Washington Park SRO for using creative solutions to design permanent supportive housing and for your commitment to give our residents the same chance for a good life as every other Chicagoan," said Mayor Daley.