Concord Commons in Rockford sold to developer who plans improvements

ROCKFORD — One of the city’s oldest low-income housing developments has a new owner who has committed to making renovations residents there have long said are desperately needed.

Rockford Housing Development Corp. sold Concord Commons, a 216-unit complex built in 1970, to Envolve Communities for $6.4 million, according to a deed filed with County Recorder Nancy McPherson on Wednesday.

Rockford Housing Development Corp. is a nonprofit started in the 1980s with the single purpose of owning Concord Commons after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development took action against the original developers and seized the property.

The housing complex is located at 3552 Elm St., a few blocks east of Ingersoll Golf Course along West State Street.

But the nonprofit, governed by a five-member volunteer board with no staff, has not had the capacity or capital to invest in the improvements Concord needs. For years, the group explored options for selling or redeveloping the property. After a national search and two-year evaluation process, board members say they selected Alabama-based Envolve because of its commitment to improvements and its track record of renovating and managing affordable housing developments across the country.

“We just weren’t looking to find someone who was just profit-driven and was looking to flip the asset, per se,” said Jerry Lumpkins, an RHDC board member. “We wanted someone who had a deep bench and experience with affordable housing and redeveloping projects similar to Concord, and really giving them brand new life.”

Lumpkins’ father, the Rev. Gerald Lumpkins, was pastor for 40 years at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, which is just a few blocks east of Concord and is where many Concord families historically have worshipped. Lumpkins said he has also had family members live at the complex.

“My family has been working in these communities for decades, and we care deeply about building a pathway to a brighter future for people here,” Lumpkins said. “I am excited about the future, because the sale will improve living conditions at Concord Commons, expand good affordable housing options in other neighborhoods and help Rockford grow.”

Several residents described dire living conditions, with bed bugs, mold and mice in some units. They’re skeptical that new owners will deliver the promised improvements.

“I was born in 1988 and these apartments look the same way as the day I was born,” said Repoleon Smith, who has lived at Concord on and off for several years. His girlfriend now lives there.

“There’s nobody suffering like these people out here,” Smith said. “If you’re not strong enough mentally you won’t make it out of here.”

Keith Jones, who has lived at Concord for two years, has had a better experience.

“I’ve got a nice place,” he said.

Except for the mice.

“I’ve got a cat; my cat can’t even keep up with them,” Jones said.

Envolve has not laid out specific plans for improvements. Representatives of the company could not be reached for comment, although they communicated their desire to make improvements through RHDC.

About 190 of the 216 units have tenants right now. The property is under a project-based Section 8 contract with HUD, and the rent paid by residents is based on income.

May Hill said the complex, with its one-way entrance through gates, ever-present security officers and fluorescent lighting inside the units, is more like prison than a home.

"The only difference is you can come outside when you want to,” she said.

RHDC will use the proceeds from the sale to pay for improvements to the surrounding community, said Ron Clewer, an RHDC board member. Clewer joined the board after stepping down as CEO of the Rockford Housing Authority in 2017 to take a job in Milwaukee with The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. He is now Illinois market president for Gorman & Co.

“Proceeds from the sale will be used to partner with existing groups and nonprofits to invest in neighborhoods here and provide services that help guide participants to financial well-being,” Clewer said. “This will make moving to and living in Rockford more attractive, which will increase our region’s tax base and help Rockford grow. This is a win for all Rockford-area taxpayers.”

Over the next two months, RHDC will work with other nonprofits and with residents to evaluate how to spend the proceeds of the sale.

Some options could be renovating abandoned houses in west Rockford, building new homes or partnering with other nonprofits to improve affordable housing. The plan will be made public as it is developed, Lumpkins said.

“Now the work begins ... to make sure that we have the right partners and that we deploy the capital in a wise and smart way,” said Lumpkins, a commercial real estate lender. “Six-plus million dollars in the large scope of commercial development is not a lot of money, but it certainly can have a meaningful impact in a community like Rockford.”

Kevin Haas:khaas@rrstar.com; @KevinMHaas