Milwaukee Avenue Apartments, designed by Cordogan Clark & Associates, was awarded the 2017 IHDA Gale Cincotta Housing Champion Award for Innovation in Affordable Housing. Developed by Full Circle Communities, Milwaukee Avenue won for its innovative design that provides enhanced accessibility without enhanced cost. At every opportunity, its design improves accessibility for those with physical and sensory impairments. Milwaukee Avenue Apartments features 32 apartments, all including adjustable cabinets and counter tops, roll-in showers, adjustable closet organizers and audio-visual entry and alert devices.
Located in Chicago's burgeoning Avondale neighborhood, Milwaukee Avenue Apartments offers fully accessible, barrier-free residential units for individuals with mobility and sensory disabilities. On major bus routes, convenient to shopping and medical facilities, the "Enterprise Green Communities Certified" Milwaukee Avenue Apartments provides amenities and services that represent the best in affordable and accessible apartment living. It offers roll-in showers, accessible cabinets, adjustable-height work spaces, off-street parking spaces, as well as a fully accessible garden with native/adaptive landscaping. There is on-site maintenance and management, as well as a case manager provided by the Over the Rainbow Association. The case manager provides community linkage and advocacy for the residents, ensuring access to needed services and benefits.
"There are no buildings specifically targeted to persons with disabilities in the market area," Josh Wilmoth, President / CEO of Full Circle Communities said. "By way of example, Over the Rainbow has 300 people on their waiting lists from the City of Chicago and they only have eight units within the City. Our development is located on a major transit route, making it easily accessible for residents and their families, as well as caregivers." The $10 million project was financed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, The National equity Fund and Bank of America.
Full Circle Communities is the non-profit developer, Joseph J. Duffy Company the contractor, and Eco Achievers the Green Rater for this four story, 32-unit universal design building.
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