Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has been focused on advancing affordable housing initiatives during his first year in office. Mayor Johnson emphasized the significant progress made in building and preserving affordable housing, stating, “In the past year, we have shifted from patchwork solutions to pioneering a sustainable, equitable framework for housing in Chicago, ensuring that our city thrives for all residents.”

Deputy Mayor of Business and Neighborhood Development, Kenya Merritt, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts that have led to positive changes in the development processes across the city, saying, “I am proud of the work of the Mayor’s Office, Business and Neighborhood Development team, and the 14 City departments that listened to feedback from community leaders and development stakeholders to co-create bold, systems-changing solutions that will result in more development in communities all across the city.”

Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda highlighted the impact of Mayor Johnson's leadership on Chicago's housing landscape, noting, “Under Mayor Johnson's leadership, we've launched groundbreaking initiatives that have already made a significant impact on Chicago's housing landscape." Castañeda emphasized the administration's commitment to ensuring access to affordable, quality housing for all Chicagoans as a fundamental right.

The Johnson administration's efforts have resulted in the completion of approximately 571 affordable units, with another 488 under construction and 271 under rehabilitation. Notable projects include the Austin United Residential project, which will provide 78 affordable rental units, and the Lawson House redevelopment project, preserving over 400 units of affordable housing in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

Moreover, the city has announced 13 transformative affordable housing developments receiving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, totaling over 1,300 affordable rental units with estimated development costs of $562 million. Additionally, the administration has initiated projects to convert underutilized office buildings into housing, such as the LaSalle Street adaptive re-use projects, which will create over 1,000 homes, including more than 300 affordable units.

Overall, Mayor Johnson's administration has been dedicated to advancing affordable housing in Chicago, with a focus on inclusivity and community development. The various initiatives undertaken reflect a commitment to creating vibrant and accessible communities throughout the city.