Last week, the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC) dedicated its 64-unit affordable housing building in Humboldt Park to Puerto Rican activist Pedro Albizu Campos. Notable city leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, were in attendance. The mixed-use building, which has reached full height, stands at 1203 N California Avenue across from the Humboldt Park grounds.
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
Designed by Pappageorge Haymes architects and built by Path Construction, the $40 million project is 60 percent complete and backed by various public and private entities, such as the City of Chicago Department of Housing, the Chicago Housing Authority, Merchants Capital, and ComEd’s Affordable Housing New Construction program.
HHDC CEO Hipolito Roldán speaking at the dedication. Photo by Jack Crawford
HHDC’s CEO, Hipolito “Paul” Roldan, stated during the dedication that the building serves as a testament to Chicago and the State of Illinois’ ongoing commitment to affordable housing. He underscored its strategic importance in stabilizing Humboldt Park and counteracting gentrification in the area. The structure also aims to preserve Paseo Boricua, a stretch of Division Street officially recognized by the State of Illinois as a Puerto Rican cultural boulevard.
Pedro Albizu Campos in 1936. Photo by The Associated Press
Pedro Albizu Campos (1893-1965) was the leader of the Puerto Rican Independence movement, touted as a champion for upholding Puerto Rican identity. Dedicating the affordable structure to Campos continues his legacy of upholding Puerto Rican values, this time by countering gentrification.
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
Since its 1975 founding, HHDC has developed 59 affordable housing projects across Chicago and other states. It currently manages over 8,000 units in 550 buildings and has a scholarship fund benefiting Latino graduate students in community development.
1203 N California Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
The 83,000-square-foot Transit Oriented Development (TOD) features 2,500 square feet of retail space and several amenities like an outdoor terrace and communal spaces. It also includes 49 bicycle storage spots and 19 vehicle parking spaces with EV charging stations. Located near bus service for CTA Routes 70 and 94, the building provides convenient transit options. Completion is expected in 2024.
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This project is so cool. Wish we had 100 more of them on every big intersection corner
We need these everywhere, love how they have a Chicago theme. No reason we can’t implement modern and also keep our aesthetic and some art deco.
Is this a “$40M project” or a “$29M TOD”?
Hi Wak, the project is now $40 million. The article has been updated accordingly
Looks like this will be a very attractive addition to the neighborhood, though it is surprising that what’s called “affordable” housing costs an average of $625,000 per unit ($40 million cost for 64 units). If these were market-rate sales, with a 10% to 12% profit margin, an estimated sale price would be about $700,000 per unit, and a buyer would need an income well above $100K.
Almost $700K per unit?! Unconscionable how this can be considered affordable when market rate condo developments in other areas approach half those rate.
Just a few quick thoughts:
Just drove by and fully support the project and the fact it is affordable BUT the price tag is insane and the fact that this is 8 stories and no property with a 4 – block radius is more than 4 is absurd. If this can be done here let it be done on all the main major streets and watch the affordability issue in the city disappear organically.
The city’s various departments involved in these buildings time after time devote money to putting up nice buildings. But they’re expensive so there are fewer of them.
The City’s goal is not actually to build as many units as possible, it’s to build nice things the major will look good in front of when he cuts the ribbon.
It’s a case of misplaced priorities.