MAYOR EMANUEL, ALDERMAN LOPEZ AND CHA ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN BACK OF THE YARDS COMMUNITY

Apr 1, 2019
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Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez today joined Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and members of the Back of the Yards community to announce plans for a new mixed-use, mixed-income development. The new project will include up to 80 apartments, and a flexible community space on the first floor.

“This project is another example of how we breaking the mold of what affordable housing can look like, and staying at the cutting edge of creating shared spaces that bring communities together,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The new development will help to ensure housing remains affordable for anyone who wants to live, work and raise a family in the historic Back of the Yards community.”

"Following in the tradition Mary McDowell's Settlement House, I'm honored to work with Mayor Emanuel and CHA CEO Gene Jones to bring quality, affordable housing and a cultural center for 15th Ward residents,” said Alderman Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward.

The new affordable housing development in Back of the Yards is expected to include up to 80 residential rental units. The mix of affordable and market rate units will include one, two and three- bedroom apartments. Many units will be reserved for families on the CHA housing waiting list.

“Our goal at CHA is to bring new housing opportunities to as many Chicago neighborhoods as we can,” said CHA CEO Eugene E. Jones, Jr. “As we’ve done with other developments, this will also allow us to create a new community asset that will serve not only the building’s residents but the larger community as well. Projects like these are what help build and sustain strong, vibrant communities.”

CHA will acquire the former Aronson Furniture property at 4630 S. Ashland Avenue. The former furniture store closed over a decade ago, leaving a large vacant storefront along the bustling commercial strip in the heart of the Back of the Yards community.

Like other CHA mixed-use, mixed-income developments, the project will be supported by a combination of public funding sources. The project is currently in the planning and design phase.