Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Attends Casa Yucatan Affordable Housing Groundbreaking
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CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Casa Yucatán affordable housing complex which will bring 98 affordable homes to the Pilsen community. Mayor Johnson joined Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Lisette Castañeda, and the Resurrection Project to celebrate this critical milestone in the City's work to expand housing access while ensuring longtime residents can stay in their communities.

"Casa Yucatán is one of the first housing developments to close with funding support from our $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond, and I am proud that we are investing in a truly transformational development for Pilsen," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We continue to confront our city's housing crisis through our Build Better Together initiative and today we take this exciting step towards building more affordable housing and ensuring working families can continue to call Pilsen home."

"Our community has advocated for more affordable housing for decades, and with the groundbreaking of Casa Yucatán, we are on the road to delivering 98 units to the residents of the 25th ward," said Alderman Byron Sigcho-López. "I am grateful for the partnerships between the city, community leaders, and the many voices who championed this project."

Casa Yucatán will provide affordable rental homes for households earning 30% to 70% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with rents ranging from $551 to $1,768 a month.

The project received $15.8 million in financing and capital support from the Department of Housing (DOH). The funds were made available by Mayor Johnson's $1.25B Housing and Economic Devlopment (HED) Bond. Casa Yucatán was the first of many affordable housing projects which closed and moved ahead thanks to HED support. Today's groundbreaking is the latest milestone in Mayor Johnson's Build Better Together initiative.

"As a community Pilsen is known for its rich culture, deep pride, and unparallelled resilience. It is only fitting that we stand here today to break ground on a project which embodies these values," said DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda. "Casa Yucatán will be a development we can all take pride in. What it means is that folks who were born and raised here can stay here and raise their families without being priced out. The Mayor's Housing and Economic Development Bond is helping us bring safe, affordable housing to the areas which need it most—it is the epitome of building better together."

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Mayor Brandon Johnson and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez meet with community members. (Vashon Jordan Jr. | City of Chicago)

Located at 2134-2136 S. Ashland Ave, Casa Yucatán will be an elevator serviced eight-story mixed-income, mixed-use development. Led by The Resurrection Project, the development will transform a long-vacant lot into a community center. The development is a significant investment in the future of Pilsen, ensuring that it remains a diverse and accessible community for all.

To ensure inclusive and accessible housing opportunities are extended to individuals and families with a diverse array of needs, the development will include a mix of unit types, including 38 one-bedroom apartments, 34 two-bedroom units, and 26 three-bedrooms.

Today, the Resurrection Project is also celebrating its 35th anniversary. Since its founding the Resurrection Project has been committed to brining affordable housing, creating community ownership, building community wealth, and serving as stewards of community assets in neighborhoods on the Southwest Side.

"Casa Yucatán is an investment in our community and our families, too many of which are struggling to get by. Casa Yucatán will preserve our cultural heritage while extending housing equitable opportunities to more families," said Raul Raymundo, CEO and Co-Founder, The Resurrection Project. "These kinds of developments do not happen by accident, I want to thank all of our partners across the public, private, and non-profit sectors who helped make Casa Yucatán a reality."

Strategically located near the intersection of S. Ashland Ave and W. Cermak Rd as well as Benito Juarez High School and Cooper Dual Language Academy, the development is designed with families in mind. Located near the CTA Pink Line the development will provide residents access to opportunities across the city while contributing to increased economic vitality in Pilsen.

Casa Yucatán will include 2,500 square feet of community space along S. Ashland Ave, featuring a multipurpose room, mail room, and a training center. The development will also offer on-site management, laundry facilities, and storage.

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Mayor Johnson remains committed to delivering more affordable homes and projects which spark economic development in Pilsen and surrounding communities. Mayor Johnson has put the construction of affordable homes at the center of his strategy to make Chicago more affordable for working people.

Mayor Johnson's landmark Green Social Housing ordinance made Chicago the first major city in the U.S. to implement the social housing model. Utilizing HED funds the City created a revolving loan fund operated by an independent non-profit designed to spur mixed-income housing development across the city.

In addition to supporting the growth of Chicago's housing stock, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has distributed $60.5 million in HED funds to support a wide array of community and economic development projects including:
  • Austin Community Health Hub - 4800 W. Chicago Ave
  • Growing Home Urban Farm Enterprise Expansion Project - 5814 S. Wood St
  • Mayfair Arts Center Repair, Renovation, Expansion Phase 2 – 8701 S. Bennet Ave
  • Sunshine Community Center - 6000 S. King Dr
  • TCA Health's Nutrition Innovation Center - 1110 E. 130th St
  • Ujima Hive - 6529-6533 S. Stewart Ave
  • Chicago Architecture Center - 111 E. Wacker Dr
  • Chicago South Side Birth Center – 8301 S. South Shore Dr
  • Music Box Theatre Expansion Project – 3733 N Southport Ave
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors – 1935 S. Halsted Ave
  • Onward House CARES – 5413 W. Diversey Ave
  • The Lev Avigayil Libenu Respite Center – 2839 W. Touhy Ave
  • The Pavilion at Chinatown – 2312-14 S, Wentworth Ave
  • PsiQuantum - 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
  • Community Desk Chicago – 25 E. Washington St
  • Definition Theatre – 1160 E. 55th St
  • JGMA Architects – 372 W. Ontario St
  • Cara Collective – 237 S. Desplaines St
  • CTRL Kitchen 4551 – 4551 W. Fulton St
  • Garden To Table Farm - 1433 S. Harding Ave
  • The Englewood Emerald – 6855 S. Emerald Ave
  • EMRH West – 5147-59 W. Division St
  • Florenciedo La Villita Community Hub: Erie House Little Village – 4225 W. 25th St
  • Optimum Joy, P.C. - 1147 W. Ohio St
  • Compass Transportation – 5740 N. Tripp Ave
  • Click Development – Bronzeville  
  • Missing Middle North Lawndale – North Lawndale

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