With affordable housing disappearing and demand far exceeding supply in the 26th Ward, the proposed 100% affordable housing project at 3251 W. Division will help stabilize families without increasing nearby property taxes. We urge the alderperson, Zoning Committee, and City Council to vote yes on the zoning change and support this 100% affordable housing development.

The Proposal:
Hispanic Housing Development Corporation proposes a 100% affordable housing development for the vacant lot at 3251 W. Division. The six-story building would bring 44 affordable units for households earning 50–60% of AMI, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

The project includes a community room, fitness room, library, management office, bike storage, 16 parking spaces accessed from the alley, and a rear outdoor courtyard on the ground floor.

The development is seeking rezoning from B1-1 to B2-5 and will require approval from the alderperson, the Zoning Committee, and the full City Council.

Hispanic Housing Development Corporation and WJW Architects presented development plans at a community zoning meeting hosted by Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.

Hispanic Housing Development Corporation and WJW Architects present development plans at community zoning meeting hosted by Alderperson Jessie Fuentes

Why Should Alderperson Fuentes, the Zoning Committee, and City Council Approve This Zoning Change and Support a 100% Affordable Housing Development of This Size?

1. Community Input and Feedback
   The development team met with neighbors and local stakeholders to gather feedback and respond to concerns related to building scale, parking, traffic, safety, and neighborhood character. As a result, the plans incorporate adjustments and operational commitments intended to minimize impacts, improve site circulation, and ensure the building complements the surrounding area. The team has emphasized ongoing communication and collaboration to ensure the project reflects community priorities while expanding access to much-needed affordable housing.
2. Affordable Housing Options Are Vanishing
   Skyrocketing rents and property taxes, along with inflation and diminished social service funding, are making it difficult, if not impossible, for working-class families, seniors, and long-time homeowners to remain in the 26th Ward.
3. People Make the Place
   When families and long-time residents leave, we lose social and economic diversity. Stable, family-sized housing supports vibrant schools, thriving commercial corridors, and Humboldt Park’s legacy as a Puerto Rican Cultural District.
4. Demand Far Exceeds Supply
   In the 26th Ward, dozens of households were recently relocated from tent encampments into more stable housing — yet approximately 300 people remain on a waiting list. This gap cannot be filled by small landlords or market-rate developments alone.
5. Due to Its Size, the Proposed Development Would Not Increase Property Taxes
   The Illinois Department of Revenue explains that property taxes are primarily calculated using the “comparable sales method,” in which assessors analyze recent sales prices of similar nearby properties to determine a home’s fair market value. This value is then multiplied by an assessment level and a local tax rate to calculate the tax bill. Because of its size and structure, a 44-unit development such as this would not increase property taxes for surrounding homeowners. By contrast, a potential development matching the size and higher assessed value of surrounding homes could place an unfair burden on long-term residents.

In a moment when affordable housing is disappearing and long-time residents are being pushed out, this proposal offers a thoughtful, community-informed solution. Hispanic Housing Development Corporation has worked with neighbors to shape a development that responds to local concerns while delivering 44 much-needed affordable homes. By approving the rezoning and supporting this project, the alderperson, Zoning Committee, and City Council can help stabilize families, protect neighborhood diversity, and ensure the 26th Ward remains a place where working-class residents can continue to live and thrive.

Community members offer opinions and feedback on development proposal at Community Zoning Meeting Hosted by 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes.