JLCS Supportive Services

Francis Housing: Breathing New Life into Old Buildings… For example, 717 W. 4^th Street -
"Before" Photo (Summer 2006)	"After" Photo (Fall 2006)
John Lewis Property Services, serving as developer and construction manager has once again taken old, abandoned buildings and turned them into neighborhood gems. Can you imagine adding another 100 years of life to your home? That is the quality of planning and construction that has been incorporated into Francis Housing by JLCS and its general contractor McCartney Improvement Company. What is Francis Housing? Francis Housing is a mix of properties including one that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are located at: 717 W. 4^th Street which will become 8 efficiency units. 1008 W. 6^th Street, formerly know as Temple Baptist which will be come 2 one-bedroom units, 1 efficiency unit and community space dedicated to the Central Community Circle neighborhood group. 630 Vine Street, formerly know as David and Joy’s Soul Food Restaurant, which will include 2 one-bedroom units and the John Lewis Community Food Pantry in the lower level. 1128 W. 5^th Street, known as the Bonaventura Heinz House, built in the 1860’s and used for years as a railroad boarding house. It will contain 4 one-bedroom units. 508 Marquette Street, known around the community as Dempsey’s Bar and Grill. It will be transformed into 3 one-bedroom units with a community space for tenants in the lower level. John Lewis Community Services was awarded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Iowa Finance Authority for Francis Housing Apartments in early March 2005. Francis Housing Apartments will provide for the next 20 years extremely affordable, scattered site service-enriched housing in five (5) buildings for persons living with disabilities (such as: mobility or sensory disabilities) and others that are income-limited that will be administered by JLCS. Construction Summary: The above listed properties will undergo a complete gut rehab and will be restored to be architecturally compatible with their original design. JLCS has significant experience with adaptive reuse of older, historically significant structures, having completed over 60 units, including commercial and residential mix in the past 7 years. The buildings will be gutted down to the bare exterior walls and carefully restored while incorporation energy efficient materials in to the construction process. Summary of Francis Housing Supportive Services: Francis Housing is a service-enriched housing development that will incorporate a responsive and supportive environment for its tenants, serving many who are living disability challenges. Francis Housing is a strategy incorporating community development, integrated service delivery and resident empowerment. JLCS recognizes that quality; affordable housing is central to the way people live and how they feel about themselves. For many it is directly related to their ability to acquire the skills, stability and income to live productive lives. Francis Housing Apartments is an opportunity for its future residents to achieve increased skills and income while living in a supportive, caring home. Services will include but are not limited to: home-based supportive services with linkage to community resources; JLCS Community Meal Program with meals provided to those who may be homebound; computer classes; advocacy for linking with educational and employment opportunities.

A Message from…
Kris Clements, Property Services Director

Our ultimate goal in Property Services at JLCS is to stabilize and empower individuals and families through quality, affordable housing or home ownership. The responsibility of the office and staff of the Property Services department is to support this mission through the following activities:

Housing Development: Collaborative planning, grants writing, and packaging financing, are part of the early stages of housing development activities. Property Services staff may then provide Construction Management services or Project Management Services for rehabilitation or new construction activities that further our mission. Staff has training in affordable housing financing, construction technologies, project management, and lead remediation skills. Since, 2002 John Lewis Property Services has developed 22 units of high quality, extremely affordable rental units and as part of the Lead Alliance, a first time homebuyers program in collaboration with United Neighbors, Inc. and Interfaith Housing, Ltd. has completed work on over 90 single family homes.

Rendering of Cobblestone Place, 22 units of quality affordable housing, non-profit offices and community space at 3rd and Taylor Streets, Davenport, Iowa.

Property Management Services: Property Services staff administer all JLCS properties including those leased with other entities. Uses of these buildings include emergency shelter, transitional housing, affordable rental units, the Café John Lewis, and office/ administration space. Our job is to ensure that the structure and major elements of all properties owned by the JLCS are effectively maintained and protected, while providing safe, quality, affordable housing. We take great pride in the upkeep and maintenance of all properties, including grounds maintenance, landscaping, snow removal, repairs, routine seasonal maintenance, and general cleaning.

Tenant Services: Tenant Services provides individuals and families with assistance in locating and maintaining quality affordable housing through fair firm and consistent expectations for all parties. Housing may be in a property owned and operated by JLCS, may be a master leased unit, or might be a referral to another entity. The Tenant Services Coordinator is the main link between tenants and JLCS and is often the first contact for supportive services referrals. Tenant services coordinate maintenance staff and provides regular inspections of all properties.