OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE – City of Chicago Mayor’s Press Office
Published: September 1, 2009
Mayor Richard M. Daley today dedicated a new development in the City’s Pilsen neighborhood that provides 45-units of affordable rental housing for low-income families and is a part of a new affordable housing campus.
“The creation of more quality affordable housing for individuals and families is one of the ways that we are building a better future for the people of Chicago,” Daley said in remarks delivered at Casa Morelos, 2015 S. Morgan St.
“We will continue to work with our community partners to provide housing that promotes the social and economic well-being of our communities.
Casa Morelos was constructed in partnership with The Resurrection Project. To build the development the City invested $2.9 million in loans, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) provided a $750,000 loan and $948,820 in tax credits, generating $8.9 million in equity and an investment of $48,000 in donations tax credit equity. Additional funding came from grants and a private mortgage loan.
The building includes a mix of one- to three-bedroom units in a seven-story building with initial monthly rates from $530 to $755. Sizes range from 552 to 1,116 square feet. Amenities include laundry facilities, onsite parking, a community room with free Wi-Fi access and a community garden that is open to nearby residents.
The project incorporates various green elements into the design and construction of the development. Features include water permeable paving, highly efficient boiler and hot water systems, a green roof that reduces sewer overflow and exterior wall insulation made from recycled materials.
The development is part of a campus environment that provides a range of housing, including Casa Maravilla, a 72-unit affordable senior housing complex currently under construction with a City-operated senior services center in the same location and the adjacent Alivio Medical Center.
Alivio Medical Center was constructed with $1.7 million in Enterprise Zone (EZ). The center serves as the primary medical care facility for the surrounding community.
“The campus will create a strong sense of community, where residents will work to support and recognize each other’s contributions,” Daley said.  “It is developments like these that help our neighborhoods grow stronger, and demonstrate how working together we can provide affordable housing citywide.
“We are proud of our investment here and the progress we have been able to make working with our housing partners. We remain committed to teaming up with our partners to build better neighborhoods and create housing opportunities for all residents,” he said.
The Casa Morelos site brings the latest investment to the community. The City’s commitment includes nearby developments that have received support, including the 25-unit multifamily housing development called Casa Guerrero and several New Homes for Chicago developments located on scattered sites.
Since 1991, the City has had a longstanding partnership with The Resurrection Project in bringing quality affordable housing to the community. The City has helped support the creation of over 200 units of for-sale affordable housing and over 200 units of affordable rental housing in the area.
Daley thanked The Resurrection Project, a longtime leader in redevelopment efforts in the community.
“By joining resources and drawing on each other’s expertise, we are able to achieve results that none of us would be able to do alone,” he said.