Affordable housing is one of the most misunderstood issues in our communities. Too often, it’s met with fear, stigma and misinformation. People worry it will bring down property values or change the character of their neighborhoods. But these fears don’t reflect reality. Affordable housing can be thoughtfully designed and well managed and benefit a wide range of people — teachers, nurses, seniors, young families and essential workers.
In truth, affordable housing strengthens communities. It allows people to live where they work, boosts local economies by increasing consumer spending, reduces homelessness and creates more stable, connected neighborhoods. This isn’t just about helping those in need; it’s also about building a stronger, more inclusive society for all of us.
As Chicago faces the realities of disinvestment in some communities and displacement in others, it is critical that we act decisively to ensure every resident — regardless of income — has access to safe, stable and affordable housing. We cannot stand idly by as our neighborhoods are reshaped by forces that leave the most vulnerable behind. Let’s be blunt: The affordable housing crisis in Chicago has been building for a long time and is not unique to our city or this nation. The reality is that affordable housing is an issue that touches everyone, and it requires the collective effort of all sectors — government, private businesses and community — to create meaningful change.
Under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s leadership, the Department of Housing (DOH) has made a bold commitment to affordable housing, anchored by three critical pillars: repopulation and wealth building, housing desegregation, and homelessness prevention and tenant protections. These goals are not just lofty ideals. They are a blueprint for a fundamentally better Chicago, where access to affordable housing is no longer a luxury, but a right. The DOH is opening pathways for engagement that directly empower both residents and developers, while recognizing that building community is the foundation for this work.
At the heart of DOH’s efforts is its partnership with developers to build, rehabilitate and preserve affordable housing. We have been actively engaged in the Cut the Tape task force, working to ensure that thoughtful policies balance sustainability and design with the need to keep costs in check. Although factors such as national construction costs and tariffs are beyond our control, we remain steadfast in our belief that the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a critical tool in combating the rising costs of housing for the average family. Affordable housing is economic development.
When families are not burdened by excessive housing costs, they have more disposable income to spend supporting neighborhood businesses, from the local bakery to the barbershop. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Private businesses also play a pivotal role in addressing the affordable housing crisis. The city works closely with the private sector to leverage tools such as the LIHTC program, which incentivizes public-private partnerships in affordable housing development. This program is the largest federal resource for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing in the United States today. The city’s 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) sets the criteria for awarding LIHTC funds and is released alongside an updated memo outlining changes to the Architectural Technical Standards Manual (ATSM).
Right now, the DOH is revising the QAP in close collaboration with developers, general contractors, architects and other stakeholders to ensure it promotes both quality and affordability. We also launched a task force focused on the ATSM to streamline processes and ensure that our standards are not just sustainable but cost-effective.
A key element of this bold vision is the city’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking partnerships and truly listening to the community’s feedback. While it’s one thing to propose a policy or suggest an ordinance, it’s another to actively engage with the people who are directly invested in our programs. Through DOH’s City Lots for Working Families (CL4WF) program, which allows developers to apply to build single-family homes to expand affordable homeownership, the Johnson administration has committed 500 lots to United Power for Action and Justice’s “Reclaiming Chicago” campaign. Despite a nominal sales price of $1 per lot, the total value of the lots exceeds $10.1 million.
The city also allocated $4.4 million for the environmental remediation of a portion of those lots. The monthly meetings with United Power, often attended by other department commissioners and staff and city Chief Operating Officer John Roberson, allow the city to continue to work to achieve its Cut the Tape goals.
Ultimately, the homes built through this effort will be made available to real people — teachers, nurses, city workers and the folks running neighborhood businesses. Our efforts mean that a family of four — in which two parents earn around $37 an hour together — can afford to buy a home, stay rooted and build something lasting in the neighborhood they call home.
Affordable housing isn’t just about building houses; it’s also about building communities, about giving people the stability they need to succeed, raise their families and contribute to the vibrancy of their neighborhoods. As we move forward, let’s remember that solving the affordable housing crisis isn’t just about building more homes; it’s also about creating an inclusive, thriving city where everyone has the opportunity to live in a stable, supportive environment.
When we come together as a community, we not only solve problems but also build a stronger, more connected Chicago for future generations.
Lissette Castañeda is commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Housing.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.