Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Approves 69 New Project-Based Vouchers, Adding More CHA-Subsidized Housing to Humboldt Park and West Englewood

Also approves new solar development at Altgeld Gardens; authorizes submittal of the Agency’s FY2026 Moving to Work Annual Plan

CHICAGO (Sept. 19, 2025): At its September 2025 meeting today, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners approved several significant actions that will expand Project Based Vouchers (PBVs) in Humboldt Park and West Englewood, advance solar development at Altgeld Gardens, authorize the submission of the FY2026 Moving to Work annual plan and engage a new developer partner for the Clybourn and Larrabee site in the Cabrini Green area. 

New PBVs at Paseo 606, Branch of Hope and Clara’s Village: 

The CHA Board approved three new Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contracts that add PBV units to developments in Humboldt Park and West Englewood. The contracts will allow CHA residents greater choices in where to live.

• Paseo 606 in Humboldt Park is a new 44-unit, 6-story elevator-served residential property. PBVs will assist 19 units.
• Branch of Hopein West Englewood was constructed in 2010 and consists of 100 units in two adjacent buildings serving adults needing comprehensive services. CHA is expanding its partnership in Chicago’s Plan to End Homelessness and increasing its PBV assistance from 58 to 68 units.
• Clara’s Village in West Englewood opened in 2008 and contains 52 units of permanent supportive housing for extremely low-income households with children. CHA is committing 40 Project-Based Vouchers to support units that were formally subsidized by the HUD Hearth Act Homeless Rental Subsidy Program, which expired Aug. 31, 2025. These PBVs are guaranteeing housing stability for 40 formerly homeless families.  

Board Approves Renewable Energy Initiative Through Solar Development at Altgeld Gardens

In a major step, CHA’s Board of Commissioners approved a 20-year ground lease for a solar-power development at Altgeld Gardens. New solar arrays will be installed on three vacant parcels and landscaped buffers will be designed and installed to preserve the historic designation for Altgeld Gardens. The proposed development will benefit CHA and its residents in several ways, including:

• Producing clean energy for Altgeld Gardens
• Saving an estimated $8 million in utility costs over 20 years
• Creating workforce training and green job opportunities for residents
• Supporting CHA’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent from 2022 levels by 2033

FY2026 Moving To Work Annual Plan:

CHA has authorized submitting the annual plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CHA has participated in the MTW Program since 2000. As an MTW agency, CHA has regulatory and funding flexibility to develop locally-driven strategies to encourage self-sufficiency, improve program efficiency and expand housing options, including: 

• Delivering 226 units (88 CHA units, 76 affordable and 62 market-rate units).
• Continuing Choose to Own (CTO) and Down Payment Assistance (DPA) to expand options for low-income families.
• Providing 5,300 project-based vouchers to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

CHA Selects Cabrini New Vision as Developer Partner for Clybourn and Larrabee Site

CHA issued an RFP in March 2025 seeking qualified development teams for a new, mixed-income residential community with a minimum of 180 CHA units at the site located at Clybourn and Larrabee in the Cabrini-Green area. The location was formerly home to the Near North High School and comprises approximately seven acres of vacant land in the 27th Ward. 

Today the Board approved Cabrini New Vision, LLC, as the Developer Partner for the redevelopment of the Clybourn and Larrabee site. This joint venture team is composed of two members: Evergreen Redevelopment LLC and KLEO Enterprises LLC.

Evergreen Redevelopment, LLC has been actively involved in Chicago’s affordable housing sector for over a decade. Its previous experience with the CHA includes several notable projects: Encuentro Square (closed in 2023), Ravenswood Senior Living (2019), Oso Apartments (2018), Northtown Library & Apartments (2018), and Independence Library & Apartments (2018).

KLEO Enterprises, LLC is a minority-owned real estate development firm with local experience in mixed-finance housing. The firm has demonstrated particular expertise in resident engagement and community-driven development processes. Its work with the CHA includes Legends South A3 on Chicago’s south side, which began construction in May 2025.