Workforce housing proposed for 7603 N. Paulina

Developer Housing for All LLC has proposed a mixed-use workforce housing development at 7603 N. Paulina. Planned for the northeast corner of W. Howard St and N. Paulina St, the development will demolish the one-story building at the corner for its first phase, with the second phase seeing the demolition of the Werner Bros. Storage building, an orange-rated structure built in 1921.

With Cordogan Clark & Associates serving as the architect, the final building will stand six floors, delivering 110 residential units as well as approximately 15,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. The project’s unit mix will include 16 studios, 24 one-beds, 42 two-beds, and 28 three-bedroom apartments. 88 of the 110 units will be set aside for households earning at or below 60% AMI, with the remaining 22 units set aside for those earning at or below 30% AMI. 

With new retail space on the ground floor, the developer will be working with existing retail tenants to ensure they do not get displaced, including the post office. The development team is exploring new market tax credits, which could help them pass cost savings to potential commercial tenants to keep retail rents affordable.

While the underlying zoning at both sites of B1-3 will remain the same, the size of the lot will trigger a Planned Development process. The developer has submitted an application to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) for an assessment for tax credits. If approved, the application would then go before IHDA's board in June for a final determination. The developer would also seek supplemental financing options from the City of Chicago's Department of Housing.

With the proposal still in the early stages of planning, it will need approvals from the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and full City Council for the Planned Designation as well as for any city funding requests. If funding and project approval falls into place, construction could start as soon as late 2023 with first move-ins projected for late 2025