The historic Leland Apartments was in danger of closing its doors, but thanks to the advocacy of community organizers and leaders like State Senator Mike Simmons and Alderwoman Angela Clay, Mercy Housing Lakefront assumed ownership of Leland Apartments in 2025.

Mercy Housing Lakefront will completely rehab and make significant improvements to the building, including expanding the community and service rooms and reconfiguring units to meet current accessibility and municipal standards.

Saving the Leland from closure is significant for multiple reasons, but most importantly it is home to one hundred individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and/or have a disability and were at high risk of displacement.

We are grateful for partners who have been awarding funding over the past year to support the preservation of the building:

• The Illinois Housing Development Authority – Summer 2025
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – October 2025
• City of Chicago Department of Housing – April 2026
• The Illinois State Historic Preservation Office – April 2026

With funding now awarded or committed, we are encouraging city leaders to work with us expeditiously to finalize and distribute funding and begin the work of preserving 107 permanent supportive homes for our neighbors in need.