In The News

On September 23, we gathered at Venue West in Chicago to celebrate the many successes of our permanent supportive housing communities, including the transformative impact on people’s lives and the partners who came together to make it possible. View Event Photos  The Program featured inspiring words from Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons, 7th District, who

There are regular opportunities for residents to have their voices heard at Mercy Housing Lakefront properties — and that brings meaningful change. Earlier this year, residents at the Johnston Center, a community serving people who are disabled and/or formerly homeless, suggested a new community garden to grow their own food in Milwaukee: “The residents asked

He once found his way out of homelessness through Mercy Housing — now he is helping others do the same. James Taylor, a resident at Mercy Housing Lakefront’s Carlton Apartments, was so thankful for the life-changing services he was provided that he sought employment with Mercy Housing Lakefront as a Community Health Worker, a story

Chronic stress; extreme weather; unsafe environments; and a lack of access to healthy food, medications, and preventative health screenings are just some of the many ways living without a home accelerates the onset of age-related issues. Across our permanent supportive housing communities, we are seeing formerly homeless residents in their 50s struggling with geriatric conditions.

On June 30 at Colony Park Apartments, Mercy Housing Lakefront staff accepted the Multi-Family Energy Services (MFES) Premier Partner Award, recognizing a multi-year commitment to delivering energy-efficient, affordable housing across northern Illinois. Through a strong partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas, Mercy Housing upgraded more than 2,000 units with energy-efficient

Mercy Housing Lakefront’s Ann Bihrle Feel Better Challenge is an 8-week summer program and promotes the health and wellness of more than 100 permanent supportive housing residents each year. This year’s challenge had a record number of participants, culminating in a special celebration at Brookfield Zoo with nearly 120 residents in attendance. Through this program,

After Sandy, 77, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she retired and began looking for an affordable place to live. She has now been living at Mercy Housing Lakefront’s Countryside Senior Apartments for almost 13 years. With expenses going up in recent years, she appreciates the onsite food and basic needs pantry at the building, which

State Senator Mike Simmons’ roots run deep in the Illinois 7th State Senate District. He was born in Lincoln Square, the son of a single Black mother and an Ethiopian refugee father. His mother, Ramona, who opened her own business, Salon Pastiche, in Rogers Park at 31 years old and ran it for 25 years,

Evelyn lived with a substance use disorder for more than 50 years, a struggle that began in childhood. “I have been drinking since I was 12. That’s all I ever knew,” she shared.  Hopeful for a better life, Evelyn decided to make a change. “I just got tired of being tired,” she recounted. “I said

Fraud and scams are on the rise in the United States. According to a 2025 Pew Research survey, an alarming 73% of U.S. adults have experienced an online scam or attack. While Americans of all backgrounds are targeted, the harm to individuals and families with low incomes can be devastating. Judy, an 80-year-old resident of