Living at the ICA GreenRise
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A benefit to community life is that it lends to a more affordable lifestyle than having to furnish and rent an entire apartment space. The building offers a wide range of room sizes, in addition to rooms that accommodate roommates and couples.
The rent ranges from $400/per month for a single to over $1000 for larger units and families. Rent covers use of all the communal spaces (kitchen, bathroom, lounge areas and all utilities-heat, electricity, etc.) In addition to the various housing options there are common areas throughout the residential floor where residents often gather to watch TV, relax, or chat with others and enjoy the company of living in an intentional community. |
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Members of the community
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does "intentional community” mean?
Intentional Community is an inclusive term for ecovillages, cohousing communities, residential land trusts, communes, student co-ops, urban housing cooperatives, intentional living, alternative communities, cooperative living, and other projects where people strive together with a common vision.
Is there an age requirement for living within the building?
You must 19 years of age to rent a unit in the building, children are allowed.
Is there a security deposit?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $100 to cover the costs of processing the paperwork necessary for residents to live in the building.
How long is a lease for?
Leases a minimum of 1 year long.
What types of payments are accepted?
Check, credit card and cash are all acceptable forms of payment. Rent is due on the 1st of every month.
Is there a way to see more pictures of the building?
We also encourage you to contact reception@ica-usa.org to schedule a site visit or see more photos.
Is there cable and Wi-Fi available?
All rooms are cable ready, but residents have to contact RCN or Comcast to purchase cable for their unit. Yes, there is browsing (unsecured) Wi-Fi on the residential floor and there are other common spaces where Wi-Fi is available.
How big are the rooms?
One of the charms of the GreenRise building is that no two things are exactly the same - including the rooms! There are different room sizes ranging from 150 square feet to 500 square feet. Rent is based on the size of the room.
Is the ICA accessible by public transportation?
YES! ICA is located just two blocks from the CTA Red Line, and the 151 Sheridan and 81 Lawrence buses run right outside the front doors of the building. In addition to excellent access to public transport, Lake Shore Drive is just two blocks away, as is a lake front bike and running path that spans more than 20 miles across the city.
Is there parking available?
Depending on availability, parking is available on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. The costs are:
Daily - $5.00 Monthly - $50, Yearly - $600.
Daily - $5.00 Monthly - $50, Yearly - $600.
What is the Uptown neighborhood like?
Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is known for its rich and vibrant diversity, as well as formally being Chicago’s entertainment district. Uptown is currently home to numerous music venues, nightclubs, restaurants and shops. Uptown Square, at the center of the Uptown Entertainment District, was designated as a National Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. The ICA is located just two blocks from both the lake and Uptown Square. For more information on Uptown, you can visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uptown,_Chicago.
How is the kitchen set up?
Residents share a kitchen on the 6th floor of the building. Residents have refrigerator space, and are welcome to use all the equipment in the kitchen to prepare their meals. Use of the communal kitchen requires participation in communal chores.
How are the bathrooms set up?
One of the items shared with others within this community will be bathroom space. There are separated by the men and women binary with facilities of 5 stalls, sinks, and showers in each bathroom.
Is there a washer and dryer?
There are coin operated washers and dryers on the residential floor.
What is security like in the building?
The ICA GreenRise building values a secure space for both its tenants and residents. There is someone at the front desk 24 hours a day. The front doors of the building are locked at 8:00pm, and residents and tenants must be buzzed in through the front door. There are special elevator codes for the residential floors.
What are the rules for guests of residents?
For guests of residents, we offer a guest bedroom that can be rented as needed. The resident is responsible for their guests while they are in the building. One of the key foundations of making an intentional community work is respect for others you share the space with; it is of utmost importance that this respect be reflected in those who are invited into the community living space.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, ICA is already home to furry friends, however you may be asked to have a pet interview and there is an additional non-refundable $100 pet fee.
Submit a Form to Find Out More
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ICA is a strong supporter of AmeriCorps network of national service programs. AmeriCorps members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.
As part of our programmatic relationship with AmeriCorps, service members are invited to become a part of our Intentional Community. |
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What does it mean to live at ICA?
As an AmeriCorps member at the ICA, you will be more than a guest at our building - you will be a member of our community! Being a member of a community means that more than paying your rent on time (although that's important too), you are excited to engage and participate in community activities and responsibilities. You will be joining others in creating a home in this building and a sustainable culture in the world. To affect this, AmeriCorps member at the ICA agree to:
When are Community Dinners?
Community dinners are held once a month, usually on the 28th of the month. They are a chance for the community to get to know each other in an informal setting, and to celebrate and honor community members’ significant life events. Community dinners are hosted by a set of three community members and this duty rotates on an annual basis.
Is the volunteer project a Service Day or TSP?
Not exactly, volunteering with the ICA is a term of your stay with us at the GreenRise and not your term as an AmeriCorps member. In order to best suit your interests, AmeriCorps members at the ICA will coordinate with ICA programming staff to decide the details of your volunteering. The ICA GreenRise is a demonstration site for both cultural and environmental sustainability. We engage our residents and tenants in various programs which forward our mission and participant's perspectives. As an AmeriCorps member at the ICA, volunteering is another layer of our intra-building community and the work being done here. As a nonprofit service center, there are also numerous nonprofits in the building who an AmeriCorps member could volunteer with as part of our tenant cohort engagement.
What is the Customary and where can I find it?
The Customary acts as an orientation packet which outlines the resources of the community and the expectations of using them. Click here to read the table of contents for the Customary. Contact Caitlin at Csarro@ica-usa.org for a copy of the full Customary.
What does it mean to live at ICA?
As an AmeriCorps member at the ICA, you will be more than a guest at our building - you will be a member of our community! Being a member of a community means that more than paying your rent on time (although that's important too), you are excited to engage and participate in community activities and responsibilities. You will be joining others in creating a home in this building and a sustainable culture in the world. To affect this, AmeriCorps member at the ICA agree to:
- Attend at least one community dinner or community meeting a month
- Work with the programming staff on a volunteer project
- Agree to the terms of the Customary and sign the signature page
When are Community Dinners?
Community dinners are held once a month, usually on the 28th of the month. They are a chance for the community to get to know each other in an informal setting, and to celebrate and honor community members’ significant life events. Community dinners are hosted by a set of three community members and this duty rotates on an annual basis.
Is the volunteer project a Service Day or TSP?
Not exactly, volunteering with the ICA is a term of your stay with us at the GreenRise and not your term as an AmeriCorps member. In order to best suit your interests, AmeriCorps members at the ICA will coordinate with ICA programming staff to decide the details of your volunteering. The ICA GreenRise is a demonstration site for both cultural and environmental sustainability. We engage our residents and tenants in various programs which forward our mission and participant's perspectives. As an AmeriCorps member at the ICA, volunteering is another layer of our intra-building community and the work being done here. As a nonprofit service center, there are also numerous nonprofits in the building who an AmeriCorps member could volunteer with as part of our tenant cohort engagement.
What is the Customary and where can I find it?
The Customary acts as an orientation packet which outlines the resources of the community and the expectations of using them. Click here to read the table of contents for the Customary. Contact Caitlin at Csarro@ica-usa.org for a copy of the full Customary.
