CCLF Profile: WECAN 3Woodlawn East Community & Neighbors
Mattie Butler, founding executive director of WECAN, is a woman with a mission--to provide affordable housing and services to her low-income neighbors in Woodlawn. Community development is never easy work, but "giving up" is not in Mattie's vocabulary.
One of WECAN's most ambitious and challenging projects was The Butler-Lindon Apartments at 61st & Kimbark. The development, which required no less than seven layers of financing has had its share of trials and tribulations. CCLF provided the $80,000 predevelopment financing; but what started out as an 18-month loan stretched into five years.
But CCLF hung in there. The fact that WECAN repaid two prior loans and was CCLF's very first borrower was not forgotten. CCLF advocated on the project's behalf with the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and Chicago's Department of Housing. The fund supported WECAN in demolition court to save the property. Fortunately, our efforts were not in vain.
These apartments were the only low-income housing development built in Woodlawn in 2000--and they feature a unique mix of seniors and families with children. There are 8 three-bedroom, 29 one-bedroom and 5 SRO units. Other amenities include 24-hour security and supportive services for seniors.
WECAN has, in total, been responsible for developing 135 units (over 60%) of the CCLF-financed units in Woodlawn.