Sankofa Safe Child Initiative and Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Chicago partnered in 2006 to create 58 units of much needed low income housing for special populations in North Lawndale. The apartments are targeted for youth between 18 to 23 who are aging out of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) system and low income kinship families consisting of adults raising children of close family members. Sankofa Safe Child Initiative has offices onsite to provide supportive services, offer intergenerational building activities, and assist residents in establishing linkages to community resources.

Sankofa House is unique in its use of high performance exterior construction and advanced insulation techniques, which help to maintain the temperature inside the building at a comfortable level while reducing energy loss. Two small roof gardens are accessible from the fifth floor combined with a white roof help to reduce summer heat and winter cold. The building utilizes wind turbines on the roof as a renewable source of energy which will help offset electrical utility costs.