illi News - Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Cuts Ribbon On Grace Manor Apartments, Bringing 65 Affordable Homes To North Lawndale

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CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Alderwoman Monique Scott (24th), Rev. Marvin Hunter of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Department of Housing Commissioner (DOH) Lissette Castañeda, Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Chief of Staff Kemena Brooks, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois Melanie Fernando, new residents, and members of the North Lawndale community for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the brand new Grace Manor Apartments. The City-backed project repurposed an underutilized surface parking lot to introduce 65 new affordable homes to the North Lawndale neighborhood. The development builds upon the ongoing revitalization of the Ogden Avenue commercial corridor and will offer on-site workforce training programming and medical support services for residents.

"Today we take a crucial step towards meeting a simple demand Dr. Martin Luther King made 60 years ago right here in North Lawndale—that there be a fairer distribution of resources in Chicago, and an increase in the supply of high-quality affordable housing," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We may not get to see every dream for our communities realized either, but this afternoon, we're fulfilling our promise right here on this corner. As we celebrate today's ribbon cutting and this incredible new development, we push forward with the transformation of our city. Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood."

"We're here to celebrate not just a building, but a symbol of renewal pride and possibility," said Ald. Monique Scott. "For too long this neighborhood has been plagued by disinvestment, but the people of the 24th Ward never gave up, we believed that change was possible. Grace Manor is a statement that North Lawndale matters and that every family here deserves a safe, dignified, and modern place to call home. We're committed to ensuring that the people who built this community can stay and thrive here."

"We've stayed true to our mission and vision—not just to build affordable housing, but to create homes that people could be proud of and dream beyond what they see," said Rev. Marvin Hunter. "Grace Manor is that vision fulfilled. A beautiful development built with purpose and love for this community."

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Meeting North Lawndale's long running need for accessible housing options, Grace Manor introduces 65 new affordable homes available to households at 60% of the area median income—with a mix of 31 one-bedroom apartments and 34 two-bedrooms. CHA will provide subsidy to 19 of units.

The project received $40.4 million in financing and capital support from DOH, who assisted in the sale of seven City-owned lots to make the development possible.

"Grace Manor represents what's possible when essential stakeholders partner together, united by a shared commitment to community and character," said DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda. "Residents can feel confident knowing their needs will be heard and addressed and every family or individual in this building can rest assured they will not be priced out of the neighborhood they call home. Through continued investment in North Lawndale and the people who call this community home, we are catalyzing lasting change."

Today's ribbon cutting is the latest milestone in Mayor Johnson's affordable housing agenda which has guided the City's ongoing work to confront the housing crisis by growing Chicago's housing stock and expanding accessible housing opportunities. Mayor Johnson announced his 'Cut The Tape' executive order, aimed at streamlining city approvals and removing bottlenecks to accelerate housing construction, at Grace Manor's groundbreaking ceremony in 2023.

The development's ground floor includes space community and commercial tenants who will be supported by a public gathering space in front of the building, featuring outdoor seating areas and bicycle parking. Grace Manor also houses a rooftop deck on the sixth floor accessible to all residents.

Additional resident amenities include on-site laundry, community rooms, a computer room, bicycle storage, supplemental tenant storage on each floor, and an outdoor patio. Grace Manor will employ a Resident Service Coordinator who will work to enhance quality of life by facilitating access to job placement services and help residents understand their lease and tenant obligations.

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The complex will increase economic vitality within North Lawndale, bringing new retail and growth opportunities to the community. The project is part of a wider community revitalization project, including a nearby grocery store and community arts center.

Embodying transit-oriented development, the site is conveniently located near the CTA's Central Park and Kedzie Pink Line stations as well as the #157 bus route, granting residents access to opportunities across the city.

Grace Manor was developed by East Lake Management Corporation in partnership with Grace at Jerusalem Community Development Corporation.

The Senior Residence project created 150 construction jobs and met the City's requirement that at least half of all construction-worker hours be filled by Chicago residents and that workers were paid the prevailing wage. The development will provide three permanent on-site jobs and a projected nine employment opportunities related to the commercial and community space.

In line with the City's commitment to equitable development, subcontracting exceeded goals of ensuring participation of 26% by minority-owned business enterprises and 6% by woman-owned business enterprises.

Mayor Johnson remains committed to delivering more affordable homes and projects which spark economic development in Pullman and communities across Chicago. Through his Build Better Together initiative, 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 funds from Mayor Johnson's $1.25B Housing and Economic Development Bond, the City created a revolving loan fund operated by an independent non-profit designed to spur mixed-income housing development across the city.

Filed Under: Government, City

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