Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about affordable housing

Chicago segregation is often obvious when you observe who gets on and off northbound and southbound Red Line trains. Photo: Jeff Zoline

What Roles Do Transportation, Housing, and Development Play in Dismantling Segregation

By Lynda Lopez | Oct 18, 2018 | 7 Comments

Representatives of WBEZ, LUCHA, MPC, and Blue Sky Strategies discussed how urban planning and policy can be used to address age-old inequities.

There is a lot of construction around the Morgan station, which is attributed as fomenting some of the development. Photo: Daniel Ronan

The Most Effective Investments Are Ones That Change Travel Behaviors

By Daniel Ronan | Oct 6, 2017 | No Comments

Policy changes that reduce car dependence are at least as important as infrastructure projects.

Remembering Urban Planner and Activist Alma Zamudio

By Lynda Lopez and John Greenfield | Oct 5, 2017 | 4 Comments

Alma was a woman who dedicated her adult life to fighting for social justice causes, including equitable transportation access.

Federal funding rules wouldn't give a loan guarantee for a mixed-use building like this one at Belmont and Southport. Photo: David Wilson

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CMAP: Federal Housing Programs Won’t Fund Walkable Neighborhoods

By Steven Vance | May 19, 2017 | 3 Comments

According to a new CMAP report, federal guidelines generally discourage mixed-use development.

Some affordable housing activists say upscale developments like the "MiCa" towers near Logan Square's California Blue Line stop, geared towards people who don't want to have to own a car, are accelerating the displacement of longtime residents. Photo: John Greenfield

If the Future Will Be Walkable, How Do We Make Sure Everyone Benefits?

By John Greenfield | May 11, 2017 | 6 Comments

As communities where walking and transit are convenient become increasingly desirable, making sure that people aren’t priced out of these areas, so that more residents can reap the health and economic benefits of walkability, will be a challenge.

Community groups want to replace this parking lot next to the Logan stop with affordable housing. Image: Google Street View

Logan Groups Raise Support for 100% Affordable TOD Through Petition Drive

By Lynda Lopez | Jan 10, 2017 | 1 Comment

The push to convert a parking lot next to the Logan Square station into a 100-percent-affordable TOD is picking up steam.

The proposed building’s new rendering is on the left.

Neighborhood Group Wants Fewer Units in Queer-Friendly Affordable TOD

By Steven Vance | Dec 7, 2016 | No Comments

A neighborhood assoiciation is arguing that "current infrastructure" can't handle approximately 120 more people moving into planned LGTB-friendly and transit-friendly affordable housing.

Transit-Oriented Housing Proposals Finally Make it to the South Side

By Steven Vance | Aug 5, 2016 | No Comments

Earlier this year, transit-oriented development made the jump from being proposed and built only next to Chicago Transit Authority stations to also being proposed next to a Metra station. Now, the trend that has brought hundreds of new market-rate and affordable designated housing units to vacant lots near Chicago ‘L’ stations has jumped to the South Side. […]

Moreno Announces Chicago’s First Affordable TOD Project in Logan Square

By John Greenfield | May 21, 2016 | 5 Comments

Transit-oriented development is a sensible way to build housing. Creating dense housing within a short walk of transit stations, without a lot of off-street parking makes it easier for more people to live without having to own a car. It leads to fewer newcomers bringing autos into neighborhoods, which reduces congestion and pollution. And, since […]

Policies and Politics, Not TODs, Are to Blame for Affordable Housing Crunch

By Steven Vance | May 3, 2016 | 39 Comments

Yesterday the Tribune’s Mary Wisniewski further explored a topic Streetsblog’s John Greenfield covered two weeks ago for the Reader. Virtually all of Chicago’s new transit-oriented development projects are upscale buildings in affluent or gentrifying neighborhoods. TOD advocates argue that adding housing in these communities will take pressure off the rental market. But some Logan Square residents […]

Developer of Bucktown TOD Grilled Over Lack of On-Site Affordable Housing

By Steven Vance | Jan 22, 2016 | 10 Comments

Yesterday, the Chicago Plan Commission approved River North-based developer Vequity’s proposal for a new transit-oriented development in Bucktown. This puts the plan for a six-story building with 44 units and ten car parking spaces at 1920 N. Milwaukee Ave. on track for approval by the full City Council. However, it didn’t happen without a heated debate […]

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