Regular readers of Chicago Journal know we’ve been reporting on St. Stephen’s Terrace Apartments, an affordable housing complex that covers an entire square block between Jackson, Van Buren, Western and Oakley, for several months.

Our story this week finds the new owner of St. Stephen’s, Barry Chernowsky of Rogers Park, applying for funds to improve conditions on site. Fine and good, and glad to hear it.

And yet our enthusiasm for this news is tempered by Chernowsky’s apparent poor management of an affordable housing complex in Beloit, Wis. The Janesville Gazette reported Dec. 23 that Beloit officials emptied Chernowsky-owned apartments. Among the problems were mold and broken heating systems.

Chernowsky declined to speak with the Journal this week, a disappointing move for someone taking over a property as important as St. Stephen’s.

While federal officials say he’s moving toward a rehab of the buildings, the news from Beloit isn’t good. We’re hoping for better and expect the city and police, Ald. Fioretti and Near West Side residents to do everything in their power to ensure this doesn’t turn into a “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” kind of thing.

Residents of St. Stephen’s and the broader Near West Side deserve better.

In the meantime, we welcome the chance to talk with Mr. Chernowsky about all the relevant issues. The number’s 708-613-3315. Call anytime, sir.