The Chicago City Council has approved zoning for the upcoming mixed-use affordable development at 3251 West Division Street in Humboldt Park. Revealed earlier this year at the intersection with North Spaulding Avenue, the project would replace a large vacant lot on the western end of the neighborhood.
Site context map of 3251 W Division St via Google Maps
Chicago-based Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC) is behind the project, among other affordable developments in the area, and an earlier interview with their CEO can be found here. HHDC has been working with WJW Architects on the five-story proposal, which will be anchored by a 980-square-foot retail space and a 16-space parking garage.
Ground plan of 3251 W Division St by WJW Architects
This will be joined by a community room, fitness room, and a small rear courtyard. The floors above will contain 44 residential units made up of 12 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom layouts. All of these will be considered affordable for those making 30 to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Elevations of 3251 W Division St by WJW Architects
The $36 million structure will be clad in light red brick at the base, accented by white and gray panels on the upper levels. The approval from the city brings the project closer to reality, now only needing city approval for around $10 million in financial assistance. If received, the team hopes to break ground next year and complete the project in late 2028.
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Those must be very high-end units at $818,000 per unit. It’s so odd that non-subsidized housing is costing about $300,000 per unit. One wonders where that extra $500,000 per unit is going. The Debt service can’t possibly be covered by rent. Is housing the new “Learing Center”?
There is nothing affordable about “affordable housing”. It’s a scam and should be treated as such.
All housing is subsidized in the U.S. Free expressways, mortgage interest deductions, federal mortgage guarantees…..all housing is subsidized in the U.S. but McMansions in Naperville and Elgin are the most subsidized housing of all.
The choice isn’t between a ‘subsidized’ development on this land or a non-subsidized development on this land. The choice is between this development and no development at all on this land. This is meant to draw private investment to that area.
Sadly, the cost of these units ($818,000 avg) is typical of what it costs across the country, with much of that attributable to the additional requirements associated with receiving government subsidies. Changes at the federal level will be the major driving force in bringing costs down.
Can the federal government end free expressways, mortgage interest deductions, and federal mortgage guarantees?