Chicago: ICYMI: Mayor Brandon Johnson Commemorates National Fair Housing Month with Major Housing Investments, Advancement of Key City Programs and Initiatives

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson today highlighted a series of major housing and development milestones announced during April in recognition of National Fair Housing Month, reinforcing the City's commitment to expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable homes in every neighborhood. As the City enters the spring and summer months, the combined initiatives build on the momentum of previous investments and reinforce Chicago's commitment to equitable growth, neighborhood investment, and housing access for every resident.

"I will not rest until we can truly say 'housing as a human right' is a reality for each and every Chicagoan," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This year my administration commemorated National Fair Housing Month with more than words of acknowledgement, we took action—planting shovels, cutting ribbons, and laying the foundation for future investments which are building out Chicago's housing stock in every corner of our city. We will continue to meet the demands of the housing crisis head on as we build a city every Chicagoan can afford."

INVESTED OVER $300 MILLION TO DELIVER 1,100 AFFORDABLE UNITS ACROSS 15 PROJECTS

The Department of Housing (DOH) released the 2026 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) April 1, which governs the distribution of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the largest federal resource for affordable housing development.

This year's plan is expected to support more than 1,100 affordable homes across 13 wards and includes approximately $16 million in tax credits leveraged with nearly $300 million in City financial assistance.

Prioritizes equitable geographic distribution and deeper affordability for households earning up to 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).

These developments are the first to benefit start-to-finish from process improvements made through Mayor Johnson's Cut the Tape initiative. As a result, increased control costs and accelerated development are expected—closing on these projects is now anticipated within 18 months.

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RECORD-BREAKING CHIBLOCKBUILDER AND NEIGHBORHOOD LAND RELEASE

The April 1 ChiBlockBuilder release made over 600 City owned parcels available for purchase across multiple community areas, providing residents, entrepreneurs, and developers with pathways to acquire land and build housing and community assets.

The largest ever release, the offerings advance the Johnson administration's neighborhood repopulation strategy by emphasizing local ownership and long-term community revitalization.

"This spring's ChiBlockBuilder land sale offerings include more than 600 City lots, more than we've ever offered since the website was launched in 2022," said DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright.

Approximately 500 lots are available at market rates for new construction projects, including 55 for affordable housing through the DOH's City Lots for Working Families program, and 66 for side yards, open space and urban agriculture.

Additionally, 30 lots are being made available for market rate, Missing Middle housing in West Englewood and South Chicago. The City Council approved City support for four Missing Middle projects which will bring 12 mid-density homes to Morgan Park.

Mayor Johnson's Missing Middle program incentivizes the redevelopment of vacant City lots with market rate buildings that have gone "missing" due to decades of disinvestment.

80 UNIT MIXED INCOME DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES AT SOUTHBRIDGE WITH $11.9 MILLION CITY INVESTMENT

The City, The Community Builders (TCB), and the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) broke ground on Southbridge Phase 1C April 27. The project will create approximately 80 homes, including 44 affordable homes, 29 of which will be CHA supported.

The City-backed project is benefitting from up to $11.9 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) provided by the Johnson administration as well as additional public and private investment.

"Our $300 million investment in multifamily affordable housing, along with the expansion of ADUs, serve as evidence that the solution to the housing crisis involves using every tool possible," said Lissette Castañeda, DOH Commissioner. "By leveraging public and private partnerships, and engaging with community advocates, we are advancing our vision of distributing resources across all 77 communities to ensure Chicagoans can choose and remain in safe, quality housing."

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NEW CITY LEADERSHIP AND FIVE-YEAR BLUEPRINT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

The Mayor appointed Jonah Anderson as Director of Homelessness April 8 while committing to implementing the key findings in the Mayor's Office of Homelessness' Five-Year Blueprint for Addressing Homelessness.

The Blueprint establishes a coordinated, citywide approach to expand shelter capacity and permanent supportive housing while pursuing additional funding for homelessness support efforts.

The Johnson administration has invested more than $58 million in acquiring and renovating spaces for non-congregate shelters, with 300 beds opened or to-be-opened within the next two years—the most of any single administration.

ADU EXPANSION INCREASES ELIGIBLE HOMES BY OVER 280% TO 320,000+ ADDRESSES

Mayor Johnson and Ald. Bennett Lawson's (44th) additional dwelling unit (ADU) expansion ordinance went into effect April 1 more than doubling the number of properties eligible to add new housing units, all without changing the character of a neighborhood.

As a result, ADUs are now permitted by-right in all multi-unit residential and certain business and commercial zoning districts in addition to residential single-family zoning districts in 34 wards, marking a significant milestone in the Johnson administration's work to cut developmental restrictions and increase housing availability across Chicago.

The ordinance provides homeowners the opportunity to add additional revenue streams or multigenerational housing on their existing property while expanding affordable housing options for seniors and young people with diverse housing needs.

TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND CITY LAND ACTIVATION EXPANDS HOUSING PIPELINE

DPD advanced transit oriented and mixed-use development opportunities on City and partner owned land. A request for proposals was released at 95th and State in the 6th Ward in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority as part of the Red Line Extension corridor, with submissions due May 4, 2026.

In the Loop, the City awarded 331 to 335 S. Plymouth Ct. to local developer DL3 Realty, where the ACōDA project will deliver a 25 story, $162.2 million mixed use development with approximately 300 residential units, including 60 affordable homes.

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