Cong. Danny Davis, State Rep. Art Turner, and Ald. Sharon Dixon will join

in the first grand opening of former Lawndale Restoration property, Gideon

Homes condominiums

    CHICAGO, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ --
 
     What/Why:   Two years after the Lawndale Restoration housing scandal led
                 to the second largest foreclosure in HUD history, new
                 affordable housing in North Lawndale -- one of the poorest and
                 most challenged communities in the City -- will open on
                 Wednesday, August 8th and continue in the revitalization of
                 this community.
 
                 Cong. Danny Davis (D-7th District) and a range of government
                 officials and community leaders will participate in the first
                 ribbon-cutting and public announcement of a former Lawndale
                 Restoration property, which will be held at the model unit of
                 the new Gideon Homes from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday,
                 August 8, 2007 at 3242 West Douglas Boulevard in Chicago, IL.
 
                 -- Lawndale Restoration became one of the biggest housing
                    stories in recent years in Chicago.   Perhaps the most
                    famous and symbolic moment for this property occurred in
                    2004, when a car hit a Restoration building, which then
                    partially collapsed.
 
                 -- The Gideon Homes have been developed by Lawndale Christian
                    Development Corporation, which has been responsible for
                    more than $32 million in affordable housing and commercial
                    development in North Lawndale.
 
 
                 -- North Lawndale has long faced a major lack of affordable
                    housing.  According to the Chicago Rehab Network, more than
                    50% of Lawndale households spend more than 30% of monthly
                    income on rent/mortgage.
 
                 -- Today, North Lawndale has a different kind of a news story
                    story:  the rebirth of buildings and blocks in the
                    community that is part of a community development strategy
                    to rebuild this neighborhood.  Gideon Homes, a key part of
                    this effort, features nine owner-occupied, rehabbed 2-flats
                    and condos.
 
     Who:
 
                 -- Cong. Danny Davis (D-7th District )
                 -- Alderman Sharon Dixon (D-24th Ward)
                 -- State Representative Arthur Turner (D-9th District)
                 -- Kimberlie Jackson, Executive Director, Lawndale Christian
                    Development Corporation
                 -- Ellen Sahli, Acting Commissioner, Department of Housing,
                    City of Chicago
 
     Where:      3242 West Douglas Boulevard, Chicago, IL
 
     When:       10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 8, 2007
 
 

SOURCE Lawndale Christian Development Corporation