News

By Lourdes Duarte, WGN Chicago | August 1st, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article and To See the Video Broadcast)

CHICAGO — A step was taken Friday to address the lack of affordable housing in the Chicago area.

Crews broke ground on the Reclaiming Chicago project that will deliver 10 new homes in the next six months.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle touted the initiative led by the Hope Center Foundation and Cook County Land Bank Authority. In the majority of the cases, the land bank provides the vacant lots. Crews use that land to build 1,600-square foot homes worth an estimated $230,000 dollars in the Roseland neighborhood.

So far, Reclaiming Chicago has completed 59 homes. Another 71 homes make up the next phase to begin construction not just in Roseland but Back of the Yards and North Lawndale..

WGN’s Lourdes Duarte has more.

By Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times | August 1st, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article)

The community-led campaign has drawn $40 million in support from public and private lenders with the goal of building 2,000 homes on the South and West sides.

James Williams Jr. and his wife got married last year, and within 12 months had the keys to their first home — something he never imagined was possible.

“My mother and father never owned a home, so I had no reference,” Williams said. “It was something I could never dream of.”

The effort was part of the community-led Reclaiming Chicago campaign, which has drawn $40 million from the city of Chicago, the state and private lenders with the goal of building 2,000 homes on the South and West sides. It’s led by the civic coalition United Power for Action and Justice.

More than 80 homes were finished last year as part of the first phase, and 11 have been finished since December.

The organizations involved broke ground Friday on 10 more lots in Roseland. That’s ahead of another 50 in a six-block radius that will be split between the spring and fall of next year. Several of the Cook County Land Bank lots were on the same block where homes were finished late last year.

The group has focused on areas with empty lots, which tend to be areas where there hasn’t been much new housing built in decades, according to Shenita Muse, executive director of the Hope Center Foundation, a coalition member.

“It is putting a belief system into them that homeownership, generational wealth and equity building are attainable to them,” Muse told the Sun-Times.

The homes cost around $230,000, though they come with a $50,000 down payment assistance grant, according to Muse. The group’s waiting list sits at 400 people, who are going through financial education that helps prep to be first-time homeowners.

Two issues still face the group: securing more funding and maintaining taxes for the new homeowners and those in homes around them.

Escrow accounts were set up for the new homeowners’ first-year tax bills, and Muse said she’s hopeful an ongoing dialogue with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will help keep the neighborhood’s current residents from seeing drastic property tax increases.

“We are not developers; we are community builders,” Muse said. “At the end of the day that’s what we’re looking for.”

The effort goes beyond just the homes. Williams was connected to the Hope Center Foundation through his church — specifically former state senator and current pastor James Meeks, one of the Hope Center’s founders — but had lived in the area prior.

Williams has been trying to get the city to help repair the neighborhood’s alleys after getting it to remove some graffiti. He said he hopes to see the program fill the rest of the empty lots on his block.

“You can see the neighborhood has been down for a long time,” he said. “But if they keep adding, it brings it up. I just pray and hope they don’t forget about this neighborhood. I know they started it. They need to complete it.”

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago | July 7th, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article)

Modular house company Inherent Homes is also building six single-family homes and one two-flat building on vacant Humboldt Park land in partnership with the city.

HUMBOLDT PARK — Two plots of vacant land in Humboldt Park have been transformed into houses, the first set of completed factory-built homes for the neighborhood under a pilot program.

The homes at 822-824 N. Homan Ave. were built by Inherent Homes, a modular home company with a factory in North Lawndale that’s one of the few developers building affordable homes and offering home ownership pathways in the city. The Humboldt Park houses are part of a $12 million Cook County pilot program that’s bringing 12 homes to the neighborhood this year.

The initiative, a partnership between Inherent, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and the Cook County Land Bank Authority, will ultimately create 120 homes in Cook County over the next few years. People who earn up to 120 percent of the county’s median income are eligible for the program, according to the program website.

Sarah and Melissa, who didn’t want to share their last names for privacy reasons, are two of the first soon-to-be homeowners for one of the West Humboldt Park homes that’s nearly complete.

“We came across one of these units and it seemed almost too good to be true, and then we saw it in person, and then it got really, really real really quickly,” Melissa told Block Club at the ribbon-cutting event for the Humboldt Park homes last week.

The couple live in Uptown and were looking for an affordable home closer to Melissa’s job, as she works as a welder in Garfield Park. Having a home near her work and getting financial assistance to buy one still feels “unreal,” they said.

“All the collaboration between the different agencies is amazing, but it’s also anxiety-inducing. But it seems like it’s gonna happen, so we’re really excited,” Sarah said.

Each three-bedroom home sells for about $350,000 and includes $20,000 in down payment assistance through the Land Bank Authority, making it affordable as the area fights gentrification. Nearby houses for sale are going for $525,000-$800,000.

The homes have modern smart appliances, two bathrooms, two living rooms and amenities like in-unit washer and dryer, parking and a yard — because everyone deserves a new, upscale home, no matter their income, said Inherent founder Tim Swanson.

“If we take all our civic land and make it available for just our everyday Chicagoan, we can move the needle,” Swanson said. “If we replace vacant lands with housing, we have families that are going to schools, we have a tax basis that supports more things … a lot of this has been leveraging our banking partners, nonprofits like the Chicago Community Trust and government officials.”

Cook County officials at last week’s ribbon-cutting event called the homes victories for Humboldt Park.

It takes eight weeks for the homes to be built inside the factory, cutting build time in half — if not more — compared to market-rate housing, Swanson said. Another home on a vacant lot in the area is being built conventionally, and it only has its foundation completed, though it’s been under construction since last year, he said.

Inherent is also working to construct a two-flat building and a bungalow that will be built on vacant land as part of the program to increase accessible price points for homeowners, Swanson said.

Swanson sees his company as not only offering attainable home ownership but also giving West Siders needed jobs in the trades, ones they enjoy and that positively impact their community, he said.

“Where our factory is in North Lawndale, we’re like eight blocks away from where the Sears factory was 100 years ago, where they were building the Sears catalog, so there’s something dope about the West Side [building] — remember, we used to do this? Let’s do it again,” he said.

Swanson and his team are working with more families from the neighborhood interested in buying one of the Inherent homes.

The Cook County Modular Home Program builds on Inherent’s success in bringing 10 homes to Humboldt Park under the city’s Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes Program for new homeowners, some of which are still being built and sold.

Inherent is building six single-family homes and one two-flat on vacant Humboldt Park land and is working with Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) to bring more homes to vacant lots in Humboldt Park, Swanson and the alderperson said.

Separately, Fuentes has partnered with a small development company that will develop four city-owned vacant lots into affordable housing, and two lots will go to Here To Stay Community Land Trust, another home ownership program aimed at helping low-income Chicagoans stay on the Northwest Side.

KMW Communities, another affordable development firm focusing on bringing housing to the South and West sides, is also building concept homes on vacant West Humboldt Park land selling for $400,000-$700,000, company officials previously told Block Club.

By Abby Miller, Chicago Sun-Times | July 2nd, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article)

COOK COUNTY, IL — Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined the Cook County Land Bank Authority, representatives from Inherentance and other elected officials today to announce the completion of the first two homes that are part of the Cook County Modular Homes Pilot Program. The $12 million initiative is focused on the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago, Chicago Heights and Proviso Township, all communities with limited new home construction.

The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development’s Department of Planning and Development is leading this pilot program, which will see 120 modular homes constructed in the three designated communities.

“These modular homes will provide affordable, quality housing in communities of need, and we are grateful to our many partners for their collaboration,” said President Preckwinkle. “Our hope is this program will make homeownership more accessible for individuals and families and break down financial barriers that have historically kept many families from owning a home.”

Both homes are located on the 800 block of North Homan Avenue in Humboldt Park. They are the first of 12 homes that will be constructed across 12 vacant lots provided by the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) in the community.

Those earning up to 120% of the county’s median income are eligible to apply for the Modular Homes Pilot Program. In Disproportionately Impacted Areas and Qualified Census Tracts, there is no income limit.

The CCLBA transferred ownership of 12 vacant lots in Humboldt Park to the nonprofit development company Inherentance, which builds each home in its North Lawndale facility on the West Side of Chicago over an eight-week period, then transports them to the vacant lots. Several other homes in Humboldt Park are near completion.

“Our mission has always been to make homeownership accessible and sustainable and we are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative to transform vacant lots into beautiful, affordable homes,” said Inherentance Founder Tim Swanson. “By using modular construction, we’re not only delivering homes faster but also ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. As each stage of the project progresses, we are excited to see the vibrancy we can bring to the entire community.”

Modular homes are pre-built in sections within a controlled environment and are transported to the site to be fully assembled. These homes are designed to exceed local building codes and energy standards and are evaluated by local inspection teams across Cook County. The modular approach protects construction from weather-related delays, minimizes waste and speeds up the home-construction process.

“The modular homes pilot is an innovative step toward addressing the housing gap by turning underutilized lots into high-quality, affordable homes,” said Jessica Caffrey, executive director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority. “By partnering with developers like Inherentance, we’re not only creating new homeownership opportunities but also investing in the long-term stability and growth of communities like Humboldt Park.”

The 12 homes in Humboldt Park will each be 1,445 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms across two floors. They will be all-electric, with Google Smart Home technology throughout, and include two parking spaces and a fenced-in yard. Homeowners will also have the option to customize the finishes of their new home.

Prospective homeowners can apply for several financial assistance programs, including the Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides subsidies of 5 percent of the home’s sale price or $25,000, whichever is less. Homebuyers can also apply for the CCLBA’s Purchase Assistance Program, which helps remove the barriers that prospective homeowners might have faced otherwise by providing them with a grant of up to 6 percent of the purchase price of the home–capped at $20,000.

Mortgage payments for each home will vary depending on subsidy amounts.

For more information on the Cook County Modular Homes Pilot Program, visit cookcountyil.gov/service/modular-homes-pilot-program.

BMO, Austin Coming Together, By the Hand Club for Kids and public officials are partners in the project

By Jessica Mordacq, Austin Weekly News | April 9th, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article)

Habitat for Humanity has broken ground on its first project in Austin.

On April 7, the national housing nonprofit, Austin-based partner organizations and public officials gathered at 5320 W. Ferdinand St. to celebrate the start of construction on four affordable homes there, plus three in the 400 block of North Lockwood Avenue.

All homes will be 1,800-square-foot, two-story structures. Each will have four bedrooms, a two-car garage and energy-efficient appliances.

The homes will be sold at an appraised market value, and Habitat Chicago will help homebuyers with down payment assistance and further subsidize the sale. Habitat Chicago will sell the houses through its Affordable Homeownership Program and provide financial and homeownership education.

The Lockwood Avenue homes’ foundations will be poured in late spring or early summer and are expected to be completed next spring. Then, construction will begin on Ferdinand Street, estimated to finish in spring 2027, according to Block Club Chicago.

The houses will be constructed on property that came from the Cook County Land Bank Authority, which acquires vacant and abandoned properties and makes them available for organizations to purchase. In 2020, the county government entity entered into an agreement with By the Hand Club for Kids, which bought the property from the county.

“There’s nothing more important for an abundant life than to have a healthy family. What better way to provide or promote a healthy family life than to have that family reside in a quality, stable home,” said Felicia Bullock, chief financial officer of the Austin-based, Christ-centered, after-school program for children in kindergarten through high school.

The construction is just the start of Habitat for Humanity’s effort to build affordable homes in Austin.

“When we make a commitment to a neighborhood, it’s not just the start, it’s where we’re going to go for the distance,” said Jennifer Parks, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Chicago. “It’s a marathon, and we’re going to be here for years and years to come to layer those investments.”

One of Habitat Chicago’s partner organizations, BMO, is investing $1 million over the next five years to help advance Habitat for Humanity’s work in Austin. Community partners hope that building more affordable homes will allow Austin residents to stay in their neighborhood.

“I’m looking to do, not only these lots. I’ve got my eyes on more than that because I want the residents to stay in the 37th Ward,” said Ald. Emma Mitts. “I don’t want to see people displaced.”

Mitts said she’s helped Habitat for Humanity host community meetings to inform locals about the new residences and encourage first-time home buyers to purchase these homes or future ones. Officials said they plan to advertise the new homes to legacy residents in Austin.

“If we don’t get housing right, we don’t get anything else right,” said Tara Stamps, Cook County board commissioner for the 1st District. “If we don’t house our people and make it affordable, then the job fairs, the recovery programs, the recidivism rate, our children in crises – none of that ends if our people are not housed. This is the most essential, most incredible work that we can be doing.”

Habitat in Chicago

Though Habitat for Humanity has been in Chicago for decades, its home-building efforts have been concentrated on the South Side. The organization started construction in West Pullman, where it has built 40 homes since 2012, and has also constructed residences in Greater Grand Crossing.

Though this groundbreaking marks the first Habitat for Humanity homes built in Austin, the organization has had a presence on the West Side through its neighborhood grants.

According to Parks, Habitat Chicago hopes its role in Austin will strengthen the local buying market, connect the community, elevate the neighborhood’s appeal, and enhance the physical environment – characteristics that haven’t always existed on the West Side.

Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together, said that ACT started as lead agency in the Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program in 2012. At that time, he said that deciding what to do with the Ferdinand Street and Lockwood Avenue properties was difficult because of public safety and housing issues. But the lots’ location near the El, Austin Town Hall Park and Levin Park is prime for families.

“Over the years, we’ve really seen some things change,” he said. “We’ve seen people mobilize and come together to be able to move something forward.”

Much of that can be attributed to growing development on Chicago’s West Side. Since ACT established its Quality of Life Plan in 2018, the nonprofit has helped attract $250 million in investments into Austin – of which this Habitat for Humanity project is one.

“I believe these achievements underscore the power of our collective action – working together [with the] city, county, state, community organizations, residents, leaders, and all of our partners,” Shields said. “Building on this momentum, our current joint efforts focus on high-quality and affordable housing options through this project.”

Shields is a member of the board of directors of Growing Community Media, the publisher of Austin Weekly News.

Such development efforts are also top-of-mind for city and county officials.

“Infill development is among the city’s top priorities for the South and West Sides. It’s projects like this that make a difference, lot by lot and block by block,” said Ciere Boatright, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development. “DPD is supporting local projects with about $40 million in development assistance to strengthen synergies between Austin’s residential blocks and its commercial corridors.”

“When folks have access to affordable, quality housing options, they have more flexibility to support local businesses that make our neighborhoods truly unique,” said Lisette Castañeda, Chicago’s Department of Housing commissioner.

Those interested in buying a Habitat Chicago home can complete a self-assessment at habitatchicago.org/self-assessment.

By Dave Marzullo, WGN Radio 720 | March 7th, 2025 (Click Here For Original Article and Listen to the Recorded Discussion)