We are excited to announce that The Metropolitan Apartments development, proposed to be built at 3557 W. Lawrence in Albany Park, has been selected by the City of Chicago Department of Housing for an allocation of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs). The project is expected to begin construction in early 2021 and will be developed by Celadon Holdings, led by Scott Henry and Aron Weisner. This development is a strategic partnership with Communities United and the ROOTS (“Renter’s Organizing Ourselves To Stay”) initiative. ROOTS was created to develop proactive strategies to prevent displacement of low-income families across Chicago. The team is eager to include this development with its work in preserving over 200 additional units of existing affordable housing in Albany Park.

The property, which is expected to be available for residents in 2021, will provide 60 affordable and workforce homes to the Albany Park neighborhood. The current plan for the development includes a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments and will be built using modular units constructed at the Skender modular factory in the City of Chicago. The ground floor commercial space will be tenanted by a preschool operated by Concordia Place, a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality services for the communities they serve.

The development team is working closely with the office of 33rd Ward Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez as the project moves into the ward’s Community-Driven Zoning and Development Process. “The shrinking supply of affordable housing in our communities is now at an emergency level. We have established a robust community driven zoning process to make sure that we allow for a transparent, democratic process. It is a strong priority of my office that we hear the voices of the people who are often left out. We welcome this much needed addition to our Albany Park neighborhood, and our process will help make sure that the project is shaped by our community.” – Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez

We will make sure there is space for residents to voice questions, support, or concerns about this proposed development and that community members can genuinely help shape what the eventual building includes. Once we have a full proposal to share, we will welcome feedback via email or phone, and Albany Park residents can expect announcements of a public hearing in the near future, hopefully in May or June (pending social distancing requirements).