Affordable housing project with 53 units moves forward in Pilsen

A pair of affordable apartment buildings are one step closer to breaking ground in Pilsen after the Chicago Committee on Housing and Real Estate approved a $5.6 million multifamily loan agreement for the $28.4 million project. Known collectively as "Casa Durango," the two buildings come from nonprofit affordable housing developer The Resurrection Project and Chicago architecture firm DesignBridge.

The larger building, slated for a vacant lot at 1850-1854 S. Racine Avenue, will rise five-stories and contain ground-floor tenant community space, 37 apartments, and parking for 31 cars. The building was initially envisioned as a six-story, 45-unit modular structure but was redesigned after Skender closed its modular housing factory in Little Village last year. A blank spot on the exterior is reserved for a future mural. 

At 2008-2012 S. Ashland Avenue, a second Casa Durango building will rise three stories. Also replacing a vacant lot, the development includes ground-floor tenant space topped by 16 affordable apartments. The transit-served project features just six parking spaces. 

In addition to its city-authorized loan, the Pilsen project will rely on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The development team plans to break ground in September and welcome tenants in October 2022.