Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

UPDATE: There appears to be contradicting information regarding the building at 5040 N. Kenmore. This is the response from Alderman Smith's office:

Statements have been made recently that 5040 N. Kenmore is in discussion for a halfway house. I have spoken directly with the Alderman and with Heartland Housing to confirm the following facts:

There is no change to the status of that building, for better or worse. There are two things that may have provoked these rumors:

Heartland is doing a senior development in the ward, at Hollywood and Sheridan. Heartland’s development is not a halfway house, whatever that term may mean.

2. Alderman Smith and Ms. Gilliam of CHA have a meeting scheduled, next week, to discuss the significant delay on this building and other CHA buildings in the ward. The building at 5040 will be a part of that discussion, about preserving the building as affordable housing. There has not been, and there is not planned, any discussion of halfway houses.


Doug Fraser, Chief of Staff
Alderman Mary Ann Smith
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A former CHA senior building at 5040 N Kenmore, across the street from the Agudas Achim synagogue and very close to Goudy School, may be converted to a halfway house for recently released prisoners. According to information from the Argyle Winmore block club, Heartland Alliance is planning to purchase this building and rehab to use as a halfway house.

Contact Alderman Smith (and Alderman Shiller, since the 46th ward boundary is across the street) if you are concerned about the conversion of this building to house former crimials. The 4900 and 5000 blocks of Kenmore are already dealing with increased crime due to problem CHA buildings. Additional criminals living within the area will only increase crime and discourage further development in the area.