Humboldt Park affordable housing development The Ave breaks ground
By Mariah Rush, Staff Reporter, Chicago Sun Times
"Humboldt Park residents will soon see an affordable housing development that will also help spur homeownership with a new center operated by the nonprofit Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and other elected officials joined partner organizations Preservation of Affordable Housing, developer KMW Communities and Neighborhood Housing Services at a groundbreaking for the project on Friday.
“It’s proof positive that when we come together with a common goal, which is to repopulate the West and South sides of the city of Chicago ... great things happen,” Johnson said.
The groundbreaking comes a week after a big win for Johnson, when the City Council approved his “green social housing” plan to encourage developers to build affordable, environmentally friendly housing.
Designed by Gensler, the 52-unit affordable housing development, called The Ave, at 3601 W. Chicago Ave., will have one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The units will be for households that make 30% to 60% of the Chicago area’s median income.
Amenities include gathering spaces, a fitness center and at least 1,000 square feet of retail space. Julie DeGraaf Velazquez, vice president of Preservation of Affordable Housing, said the organization aims to rent to businesses from the area. The project will also have a homeownership center by Neighborhood Housing Services, which offers services such as homebuying classes, home improvement grants and new home loans.
A plaza dubbed “The Stoop” will also be at The Ave and will host farmers markets and outdoor activities."