Jiménez Welcomes Over 100 Affordable Housing Units in the 4th District

CHICAGO- State Rep. Lilian Jiménez, D-Chicago, celebrates the redevelopment plan that will turn a vacant elementary school into stable, affordable and accessible housing in the 4th district. We thank Alderperson Fuentes, the City Council and Mayor Johnson for approving the funding needed to move forward with this project.

“Every day working families are finding it difficult to obtain affordable housing due to rising costs, inflation and displacement,” said Jiménez. “Housing should be accessible to all regardless of income status. I support this ambitious project because it will change the lives of many in our community by allowing more families to raise their children, live and work and retire in their community.”

The Humboldt Village project, first introduced in 2016, was a proposal that would redevelop Von Humboldt Elementary School, a CPS school closed in 2013, into an affordable housing complex. The project secured $66.2 million in funding after there were multiple federal funding delays for affordable housing projects. 

This complex would have over 100 apartments, a fitness room, bike room, a Community Center and more amenities. The apartments would be available for people earning up to 60 percent of the area median income. 

Cases of displacement and rising property taxes continue to limit the housing options for natives of the community.  The Institute for Housing Studies claim that 48% of total households including over 59% of renters in the Humboldt Park  neighborhood spent too much on housing. 

This is more than 30% of their annual income when 70% of Humboldt Park households make less than $100,000 in 2025. 

“As the Chair of the Housing Committee, I see firsthand the housing issues happening in my community and all over the state,” said Jiménez. “I am ensuring that district housing projects remain truly accessible and affordable even when the federal government refuses to help our communities. I am also working every day to protect cultural communities like mine from displacement and gentrification. This project is one that is good for the community and for Chicago as it will improve the access to social and community facilities and even create job opportunities.” 

 

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