Barbara Jean Wright Courts Apartments

Jonathan Rose Companies purchased Barbara Jean Wright Courts Apartments – a 272-unit income-restricted family property in Chicago, Illinois - in December 2022. . The acquisition and renovation of Barbara Jean Wright Court Apartments preserves and revitalizes critical affordable housing near downtown Chicago, conveniently located close to some of the area’s top schools. 

Jonathan Rose Companies collaborated closely with the City of Chicago, the Department of Housing, and local alderpersons to secure $7.9 million in funding for the renovation. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development renewed the existing Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments contract for an additional 20 years, while the Chicago Housing Authority committed over 100 new Project-Based Vouchers and Housing Choice Vouchers to support both current and new residents. Additionally, Rose partnered with local utility providers to obtain rebate funding for enhanced greening measures and insulation improvements.

To ensure that services and amenities effectively meet residents’ needs, Jonathan Rose Companies and its partners maintained ongoing engagement with the Barbara Jean Wright Tenant Council and their advocates. This collaborative dialogue extended to neighborhood community members, alderpersons, and local tenant organizations. Throughout the renovation and beyond, the project team has worked diligently to strengthen community relationships, enhance security, and address crime concerns.

Beyond creating a safer environment, the project emphasizes improving health and social outcomes for residents. A newly appointed full-time Resident Services Coordinator is actively collaborating with the Tenant Council and the wider community of residents to implement social programming and community activities. Supported by the Community Opportunity Fund, these efforts aim to measure and demonstrate positive outcomes, ultimately advocating for increased public investment in similar projects nationwide.

A key component of the project was the ground-up construction of a 5,000-square-foot community clubhouse, designed to serve as a hub for resident activities and engagement. The new community clubhouse offers a range of amenities designed to enhance resident life and foster community engagement. It includes a half-court gymnasium and multi-purpose room, a community kitchen, a fitness center, and a computer room. Additional spaces include a Tenant Council office, an after-school classroom, a small-scale recording studio, and new management offices, providing a range of resources for residents of all ages.

The apartment homes have been extensively renovated to enhance comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics. Upgrades include new kitchens and bathrooms, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and new carpeting in bedrooms. Energy efficiency has been improved with the installation of dual-paned windows. Additionally, building systems have been updated with new roofs, downspouts, gutters, HVAC components including boilers and hot water heaters, as well as electrical panel upgrades.