A vacant Jefferson Park lot will be transformed into an affordable housing development for veterans, people with disabilities and families. The project will consist of two four-story buildings with 48 units near Lawrence and Austin Avenues.
Block Club Chicago reports that Full Circle Communities is behind the project at 6001 W. Lawrence Avenue and is working with Illinois construction company Henry Bros. Co. after securing city permits last month.
The buildings were designed by Canopy Architecture+Design and will include the following:
- On-site management
- A library
- Computer room
- Community room
- On-site resident services to help families coordinate access to benefits, health and wellness services, employment services and financial counseling.
Permit and construction set backs had delayed the project which began construction almost three weeks ago. It will take about a year for construction to finish.
"This long-vacant site has been an eyesore and nuisance, and we are thrilled to revitalize the site with high-quality housing that serves the wide range of families that call Jefferson Park home. We think this is an incredible opportunity to build on our community relationships and continue our year's long work of bringing affordable housing options to Chicago's North West side."
President & CEO of Full Circle Communities | Joshua Wilmoth
The development will consist of:
- Studio apartments renting for $444 - $780 a month
- One-bedroom apartments renting for $475 - $1,337 a month
- Two-bedroom apartments renting for $570 - $1,604 a month
- Three-bedroom apartments renting for $660 - $1,854 a month
- 47 parking spaces behind the building
Residents who make 30, 50 and 80 percent of the area median income can qualify for the apartments.
An article in 6 Park News states that the nearly $20 million development is receiving tax credit financing from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the National Equity Fund, Inc., Com-Ed, and other grants.
The project was supported by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city's Department of Housing, which gave the development $1.6 million in tax credits. The project did not involve any city-backed funding.
In 2019, the developer realized that the site's existing zoning would allow for buildings without needing direct councilor approval. Alderman Nick Sposato tried to block the project last year due to density and parking problems and the concerns of some neighbors. But the City Council sided with Lightfoot and did not approve Sposato's request to reduce the area of the land. He later said he would work with the developer to make sure the project could benefit the entire neighborhood.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - 6001 W. Lawrence Affordable Housing Development Jefferson Park - Chicago (0009101220)
