CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Ald. Jessie Fuentes, Ald. Daniel La Sapta, the Department of Housing and Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation celebrated the completion of a $40.5 million rehabilitation of Boulevard Apartments across three buildings at 929-935 N Sacramentoâ¯Blvd., 1930-38 N Humboldt Blvd., and 2212-14 N Sacramentoâ¯Blvd. in Humboldt Park and Logan Square.
The investment modernizes 70 affordable homes while making significant improvements throughout the properties.
“Building a more affordable Chicago requires making sure working families can remain in the communities they have helped to build,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.“My administration is building affordable homes across our city by supporting new opportunities and preserving what already exists.
With the rehabilitation of Boulevard Apartments, we are making a long-term investment in the families and communities that make Chicago strong.”
Bickerdike originally acquired and rehabilitated the three buildings in the early 1990s, and the properties have provided affordable housing to Chicago families for more than 30 years.
This latest investment builds on that legacy with comprehensive upgrades to the apartments and major building systems.
The $40.5 million rehabilitation was made possible through $12.7 million in financial assistance provided by DOH and a $2.3 million City LIHTC allocation.
“The preservation of these unitsâ¯isâ¯not anâ¯abstract concept of “affordability,” saidDOH Commissioner Lisette Castañeda.⯓It is working-classâ¯individuals and families living through the experiences of life with a stable home toâ¯always come back to.
Because these units will be preserved, thatâ¯home to return to will remainâ¯for decades to come.”
Half of the apartments are restricted to households earning up to 50% of the Area Median Income, with the remaining apartments restricted at 60% AMI.
Existing subsidy contracts with the Chicago Housing Authority and Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund provide deeper affordability for 27 apartments serving households at 15% and 30% AMI.
“Preserving existing affordable housing is essential to ensuring that longtime residents and families can remain in the communities they call home,” said Bickerdike Chief Executive Officer Joy Aruguete.“Through this investment and the partnership that made it possible, we are preserving quality affordable homes for decades to come, including much-needed three- and four-bedroom apartments that provide larger families the opportunity to remain and thrive in their communities.”
Of the development’s 70 apartments, 12 are four-bedroom, 14 are three-bedroom, 25 are two-bedroom, 18 are one-bedroom and one is a studio.
Nearly 40% have three or more bedrooms, providing affordable options for larger families.
The rehabilitation included new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and ENERGY STAR® rated appliances, along with new roofs, masonry repairs, upgraded electrical service, energy-efficient LED lighting, and security cameras in common areas.
The properties were also converted to all-electric building systems, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for heating and cooking.
New electric heat pumps provide heating and central air conditioning, while programmable thermostats give residents greater control over indoor comfort and energy use.
The upgrades also preserve the historic character of the buildings.