A barrier-free supportive housing development for people with mobility impairments in Chicago, Lakeview Landing demonstrates what can happen when different organizations pull together.
The new 37-unit community is “beyond universal design,” says Eric Huffman, president of Over the Rainbow Association (OTR), a nonprofit committed to creating accessible, affordable housing. His organization teamed with LakeView Lutheran Church on the ambitious project.
Lakeview Landing has been named the editors’ choice winner in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The residences are all one-bedroom units and designed so mobility-impaired adults can direct their own care and live independently. The units feature open floor plans with accessible kitchens, spacious bathrooms with roll-in showers, and front-loaded switches. About 40% of the residents use wheelchairs. The community is also home to residents who are blind or deaf.
“Especially for people who have mobility impairments, it’s very difficult to find housing,” Huffman says. “Every apartment in our buildings, including Lakeview, is completely accessible, so a wheelchair user can move into any one of the 37 units and be able to use it.”
Although OTR designs with the mobility-impaired in mind, Huffman notes that Lakeview Landing is disability-neutral and caters to a wide range of persons with disabilities.
In addition, residents have the support of OTR’s resident services coordinators who are available to provide a variety of on-site programs and community connections, ranging from healthcare and food assistance to transportation and art workshops.
Located two blocks from Wrigley Field, the $30.9 million development replaced a longtime church. Faced with a dwindling congregation and an aging building, LakeView Lutheran Church leaders wanted a way to better utilize the property and still meet their mission. By partnering with OTR, they have helped provide needed affordable housing, and they have an agreement to use the building’s community room for services and special services.
The secular nonprofit and church have also seen the benefit of residents and congregants coming together to support one another.
All apartments are supported by project-based vouchers for 30 years.
DEVELOPERS: Over the Rainbow Association and LakeView Lutheran Church
ARCHITECT: Weese Langley Klein
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Powers & Sons Construction
MAJOR FUNDERS: National Equity Fund; Illinois Housing Development Authority; Chicago Department of Housing; Chicago Housing Authority; BMO; ComEd; Corporation for Supportive Housing; Over the Rainbow Association; LakeView Lutheran Church