The Grand Apartments

 

Rockford’s First Permanent Supportive Housing Facility

ZION cut the ribbon on this miracle building on Dec.2, 2001, and every one of the 45 apartments was occupied in less than two months.  The total renovation of the Grand cost $5.3 million – funding that took ZION nearly six years to assemble.  Prior to ZION’s purchase of the Grand, police statistics showed it to be the single most dangerous building in Winnebago County and probably in all of northern Illinois outside of Chicago.  ZION took huge risks – both financial and personal – to both buy and manage the Grand until the renovations could be done.

The Grand Apartments is Rockford’s first permanent supportive housing facility for single adult homeless men and women.  Residents at the Grand may remain there for as long as they pay their rent (there are many subsidies available) and abide by their lease.  The key to the Grand’s effectiveness in ending homelessness for its residents is on-site social services.  The two case managers build relationships with each resident, assisting them in developing a “pursuit of purpose” and in addressing those issues that have in the past contributed to their homelessness with a  an emphasis on employment