May 8, 2009

For decades, Milwaukee's need for affordable supportive housing far outpaced its ability to provide it. City and county planners looked for innovative ways to address the problem and found a solution in Heartland Alliance's many successful developments in Chicago.

Now, with the grand opening of Prairie Apartments, the city of Milwaukee marks a new beginning in permanent housing for low-income residents experiencing homelessness or mental illness, who can live independently with access to some support services.

Heartland Alliance co-developed this innovative building with The Guest House of Milwaukee, Inc., a social service agency that has been providing shelter and services to homeless individuals in Milwaukee for more than 25 years. The effort represents a unique regional collaboration between Heartland Alliance, Milwaukee County, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, and federal and state government.

Prairie Apartments was designed to allow people in short-term shelter, transitional programs, and substandard housing to live independently with access to support services. The Guest House provides important onsite case management and counseling for residents and can connect them to health care, job training programs, and benefit assistance.

High Standards and Human Rights

Like all of Heartland Alliance's developments, Prairie Apartments was held to stringent construction standards as it was rebuilt from the foundation up. For example, 25 percent of the units are fully accessible to people with disabilities, far more than the 5 percent required by law. The building was also designed to achieve the prestigious LEED for Homes certification, which shows environmental awareness and keeps energy and maintenance costs down.

"We wanted to maintain these high standards so that the city would see that supportive housing buildings can be assets to a community, not detriments," says Andy Geer, leader of Heartland Alliance's housing arm.

But the structure also had to meet Heartland Alliance's mission that housing is a human right. Each design decision takes the residents' inherent dignity into account. Prairie Apartments' one-bedroom and studio units boast sunny windows and hardwood floors,

and each unit has its own kitchen and bathroom. The stylish building gives residents something many thought they'd never have—a beautiful place to call home.

Nathaniel moved into Prairie Apartments this past February. "It's the greatest!" he raves. For several years he lived in a single room and shared a bathroom with other tenants. Now he has a one-bedroom unit and access to the supportive services he needs to continue living on his own.

"I didn't think I would ever get better housing for the money I was able to pay. I liked this place from the first time I saw it. I left my old apartment knowing I was going to something better."

Model for Future Developments

With the success of Prairie Apartments, Heartland Alliance plans to develop more permanent supportive housing with community groups in Milwaukee. The team is already scouting locations for a new building to develop with the Community Meal program of St. Benedict the Moor church.

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