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Mercy Housing Lakefront

Our mission is to create stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors, and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities. We achieve this through our resident-centric services, strategic approach to housing development, and the support of our partners and donors.

Founded in 1986, Mercy Housing Lakefront is the largest nonprofit provider of service-enriched housing in the Great Lakes region. We are proud to own and operate 46 properties with more than 5,000 homes serving more than 7,000 residents in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. We remain committed to changing lives and revitalizing neighborhoods by providing safe, quality, affordable housing and supportive social services.

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The Problem

268,089 Shortage of Affordable Rental Units for Extremely Low-Income Households in Illinois

$10,478 Average Mercy Housing Resident Income

Our Impact

46 Rental Properties

7,000 People Served

The Need for Affordable Housing

A significant number of communities in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin continue to struggle with a shortage of affordable housing. In Illinois alone, there is a shortage of more than 324,000 affordable rental homes for extremely low-income households – forcing many people to become homeless or just one paycheck away from homelessness.

Rent burden and housing instability have widespread negative impacts on people’s health, education, and economic security.

Explore our Impact Report to see how we’ve responded to the needs of our region »

Help People Like Edna

On her own at 17 years old, Edna battled homelessness and addiction on the streets of Chicago. Filled with hope and a desire for a better life, she found her way to Mercy Housing Lakefront and moved into an apartment in the Schiff Residences.

Edna met Tarlisa Hunt, the Schiff Residences Property Manager, whose encouragement gave her the strength to go to school and eventually graduate from the prestigious culinary school Le Cordon Bleu. Watch Edna’s Story >

Donate to Mercy Housing Lakefront

We are proud to serve our residents and Lakefront communities through the development of affordable housing and resident services. Donate today to help us continue our mission!

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News Feed

Beyond the Uniform: One Veteran’s Story About Redemption and Hope

Terry was born in Chicago and grew up on the South Side. He served in the Military for several years, starting in 1975. “I was fortunate – I did not see combat, but there were a tremendous number of men that did, and I’ve seen the aftermath of it,” Terry explains. “That’s where my addiction

Sharing Her Story Through Poetry

COVID-19 had just arrived in the United States when Barbara Rankin, then 86 years old, received the devastating news that she would lose her home of more than 50 years in Kenosha – where she raised her five children and cultivated a thriving garden. Unaware that a developer in Houston had bought her mortgage

The Historic Carlton Apartments Reopens After Yearlong Rehabilitation

Residents of Mercy Housing Lakefront’s Carlton Apartments came together with staff and supporters on a sunny June afternoon to celebrate the reopening of the historic apartment building. Carlton Apartments was originally built in 1925 as the Carlton Terrace Hotel featuring distinctive Collegiate Gothic architecture. Mercy Housing Lakefront acquired and first renovated the Carlton Terrace

Partner With Us

Long-term solutions to the affordable housing crisis begin with an organizational commitment to lasting, creative, and dynamic partnerships. We are constantly building new relationships to meet the needs of our communities and capitalize on opportunities in the Great Lakes region.

We hope you’ll join us in finding new solutions and empowering even more residents to achieve their dreams.

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