F.A.Q.

Below is a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) about the 100% affordable housing development at the Emmett Street parking lot. For a full write-up of details on the development please click here. For a F.A.Q. on construction timeline and impact please click here.

What are community members proposing be built at the Emmett Street parking lot?

Logan Square community members are proposing a 100% affordable housing development that consists of 100 units available to households earning at or below 60% of the Chicago area median income (AMI) - approximately $35,580 for an individual and $50,760 for a family of four.

Who will live at the Emmett Street affordable housing development?

Community members and groups are proposing 100 apartments that will be affordable to Chicagoans at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) - which is currently $35,580 for an individual and $50,760 for a family of four. That means this proposed development will provide high quality affordable rental housing for our neighbors facing displacement - including church leaders, teacher aides, military personnel, security and concession workers at O'Hare Airport, and working families committed to the vitality and stability of the neighborhood.

Will this affordable housing development negatively impact local property values?

Research shows that affordable housing has no negative impact on neighboring home values. Trulia examined the nation’s 20 least affordable markets, analyzing over 3000 affordable housing developments over a 10 year period. They concluded that there was no significant effect on home values located near an affordable housing development.

What will this development look like?

Affordable housing must comply with the same building restrictions and design standards as market-rate housing. The building was designed by award-winning firm Landon Bone Baker Architects, who worked with Logan Square Preservation to refine the building’s design and ensure the development blends in with the neighboring residential structures.

Does affordable housing increase crime?

No. Studies show no evidence that affordable housing brings crime to a neighborhood. In fact, affordable housing, as a tool of economic development, can often help to lower crime rates. The National Crime Prevention Council calls for the construction of affordable housing to reduce crime because “neighborhood cohesion and economic stability are enhanced in areas where the continuing supply of dispersed, affordable housing is assured."

Most affordable housing residents are seeking safe and decent housing that will allow them to live self-sufficient lives in a good community.

Is there really a need for affordable housing in Logan Square?

Yes. Over 19,200 working class, mostly Latinx residents, have been pushed out of Logan Square since 2000 by rising rents and demolitions. Currently, In Logan Square/Avondale there is a supply of 9,666 affordable units and a demand for 15,864 units, meaning there is a deficit of 6,198 affordable units.

How will this project impact parking in the neighborhood?

The CTA and the city's Departments of Planning and Development, Transportation, and Revenue studied the Emmett Street Parking Lot and found that it was underutilized. At any given time of the day, and particularly at night, the parking lot is almost empty. Any affordable housing development built at the site would have to include parking spaces to accommodate maintenance vehicles, commercial operators, and residents with special mobility needs.

What is being done about overcrowding on the CTA Blue Line?

The CTA has recognized that the Blue Line has grown in popularity, resulting in increased demand, especially during the morning rush hour. The CTA is implementing changes to meet this demand, and the CTA also has plans to continue to improve Blue Line capacity.