Goals

The Humboldt Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) at 2120 N Mozart Avenue, and its associated multi-family housing, originally built in 1928, has long served as a vital community resource. It has provided stability for immigrant and low-income households moving into the area. To further this mission, LUCHA is leading the renovation to transform the church into 22 units of affordable housing. This will involve converting the sanctuary to residential use, and significantly upgrading the existing 12 units of housing on the apartment side, which currently supports low to very-low-income renters. LUCHA aims to market these new and existing units primarily to immigrant populations, including undocumented and mixed-status households, in compliance with federal and local regulations.

Results

The unit mix includes eight studios, eight one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units. Twelve units will be at 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Five units will be set aside as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and five units will be MAUI-subsidized units, targeting 15% and 30% AMI households. 

The project is funded by various sources, including up to $10 million of tax-exempt housing revenue bonds being issued, to raise approximately $7.6 million equity for the benefit of the transaction, a $1.35 million grant from Chicago Recovery Plan for permanent supporting housing, a $1,288,919 grant from Chicago Recovery Plan for decarbonization, and up to $4,289,205 in DOH soft funds. The total project cost makes up nearly $20 million, and groundbreaking is set for November 2024.