In late 2009, the success of The Cara Program’s social enterprise, Cleanslate, created the opportunity for us to launch a new joint venture social enterprise with Mercy Housing Lakefront (MHL), called Cleanslate Property Services (CSPS). The goal of CSPS was to meet the local demand for property maintenance services for the growing number of homes in foreclosure in the city of Chicago. CSPS performed beyond expectation in its first year of operation, and with Bank of America as the venture’s largest customer, the social enterprise provided over 11,743 services to homes in foreclosure and generated more than $1 million in revenue!

In January 2011, in order to address the increasing demand for their services, CSPS became a stand-alone enterprise with TCP and MHL continuing to provide oversight as managing owners. And, with this transition, CSPS will now be known as 180° Properties to reflect the enterprise’s transformational effect on properties and homes in foreclosure. This new phase will also allow 180° Properties to expand its capacity and infrastructure to accommodate business expansion, while not straining the quality job training and placement services The Cara Program has become known for providing to its motivated students and clients. 180° Properties will continue to contract with Cleanslate, provide training opportunities for Cara students and Cleanslate interns; and serve as a pathway to permanent, quality jobs
for our students.