The Chicago Department of Planning & Development has announced the selection of four developers to redevelop 30 vacant city-owned lots as part of DPD’s Missing Middle housing initiative. Located in South Chicago and West Englewood, the 30 city-owned lots will be developed with a total of 62 new homes collectively valued at $27.6 million.
“Every vacant lot presents an opportunity to bring new life and new Chicagoans to our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “These projects are helping repopulate communities that have experienced decades of disinvestment while creating new pathways to homeownership and supporting new development. My administration will continue using every tool available to bring new housing, economic opportunity, and neighborhood growth to communities across the South and West sides.”
The selected projects include:
South Chicago - Cluster A
Planned by 75 Development, this group of sites will include eight vacant lots on the 8400 block of S. Baker Ave. The sites will be developed with eight two-flats to create 16 residential units at a value of $6.8 million
Missing Middle Round 4 - South Chicago Cluster A75 Development
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South Chicago - Cluster B
Planned by Vazquez Housing Development, this group of sites will include five vacant lots on the 8300 block of S. Buffalo Ave. The sites will be developed with five two-flats to create 10 residential units at a value of $6.2 million.
Missing Middle Round 4 - South Chicago Cluster B Vazquez Housing Development
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South Chicago - Cluster C
Planned by Blazer Jones, this group of sites will include six vacant lots on the 8400 block of S. Buffalo Ave. The sites will be developed with four two-flats and two three-flats to create 14 residential units at a value of $5.2 million.
Missing Middle Round 4 - South Chicago Cluster CBlazer Jones
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West Englewood - Cluster D/E
Planned by Blueprint Ventures, this group of sites will include eleven vacant lots on the 1700 block of W. 69th St. The sites will be developed with eleven two-flats to create 22 residential units at a value of $9.35 million.
Missing Middle Round 4 - West Englewood - Cluster D/EBlueprint Ventures
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Under the Missing Middle program guidelines, at least one unit within each building must be sold to an owner-occupant earning up to 140 percent of the area median income, or $134,400 annually for a two-person household. The requirement creates new pathways to homeownership while allowing residents to build wealth as new development takes shape in their communities.
Potential DPD developer assistance includes up to $150,000 per housing unit and the sale of each City lot for $1, to help ensure purchase prices are commensurate with market rates. Funding would be provided through Housing and Economic Development Bond proceeds, pending City Council approval.
