Affordable Rental Housing
Overview
llinois Metro IAF Affiliates – United Power, Lake County United, DuPage United and Fox River Valley Initiative – led efforts to leverage over $147 M of state resources, initiated the development of 209 affordable rental housing and led the organizing work to preserve/protect hundreds of units.
Churches and non-profits, engaging in on-the-ground organizing, understand the need for affordable, accessible and supportive housing throughout the state.
Below are some of the success stories within United Power and links to the success in other counties.
Success Stories
Grove Apartments in Oak Park
At the stroke of midnight on May 23rd United Power leaders in the Oak Park area won final approval from the Village Board for 51 affordable and accessible apartments.
The campaign began in August 2010 with key United Power institutions Ascension Catholic Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Euclid Avenue Methodist Church and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The group was invigorated when Progress Center for Independent Living joined United Power and added their energy and effort.
During the campaign the team engaged new allies, held a powerful assembly with 188 people 2 days before the local election and conducted small team meetings with each of the seven Oak Park Village Trustees leading up to the positive 6-1 vote. Trustees received letters and emails by a margin of 3 to 1 in favor.
Creating affordable and supportive rental housing.
Reclaiming Southwest Chicago
United Power worked with its member organization, Southwest Organizing Project, to reclaim Chicago Lawn in the wake of the foreclosure crisis of 2007-08. Part of the strategy
Together, United Power and SWOP to acquire and rehab vacant homes and apartments. We secured capital budget dollars in the 2009 capital bill to help us acquire and rehab our very first building at 62nd and Washtenaw across from St. Rita’s Parish and Fairfield School. These capital dollars were a catalyst for rebuilding a neighborhood.
We strategically started our efforts in a 20 square block area with 93 vacant buildings – what we call “Phase One”. Today, in this area, only 8 vacant buildings remain. 85 vacant buildings have been reclaimed, put back on the tax rolls, and restored to their status as good homes. Property values are up; crime is down…. by over 50%; and local schools have dramatically improved.
Led by Proven Local Institutions
Lazarus Apartments
United Power members worked with Lawndale Christian Development Corporation to ensure that the state of Illinois followed through with $2 million funds to rehab the two multi-family buildings, anchoring key corners in North Lawndale.
Lazarus Apartments is a 48 unit development located at 1859 S Pulaski and 1900 S Harding in the North Lawndale community of Chicago developed by Lawndale Christian Development Corporation. This totally renovated affordable housing development will provide some of the most affordable rents in Chicago for families in North Lawndale. The design includes 1, 2 and 3 bedroom options along with some accessible and adaptable units.
The project was supported by the City of Chicago (DOH and DOB), state of Illinois (Illinois Housing Development Authority), Chase Bank, the Steans Family Foundation, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and the Metro IAF Equity Fund. Two African American firms led the construction and architecture for the project: GMA Construction and Beehyvve.
Lake County United has led campaigns creating affordable rental housing in Mundelein and Grayslake. They are currently leading a campaign for more affordable housing in Waukegan. https://www.lakecountyunited.org/housing
DuPage United members are currently leading an effort to advance an affordable housing development in Glen Ellyn. https://dupageunited.org/affordable-housing
Fox River Valley Initiative: In 2019 FRVI fought and won 48 units of permanent Affordable, Accessible, Supportive Housing (AASH) units at 1212 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. In 2021, residents were able to move-in. https://dupageunited.org/fox-river-valley-initiative
