CHICAGO – Today, The Resurrection Project (TRP) was joined by representatives of the Pilsen community, the City of Chicago Department of Housing, the Chicago Housing Authority, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, U.S. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, BMO Harris Bank and partners for the celebration of the opening of Casa Durango, a 53-unit multi-family affordable housing development across two properties: 1858 S. Racine Avenue and 2010 S. Ashland Avenue. 

TRP broke ground in 2020, and the buildings were completed in the Fall of 2022. Casa Durango’s amenities include a library and lounge, on-site parking, on-site laundry facilities, bike storage rooms, elevators, a facility-wide security camera system, and accessible, adaptable, and sensory-impaired units. 

“The Resurrection Project, founded in 1990, has become an effective social impact organization that seamlessly blends community development, community organizing, and policy advocacy with community services to create vibrant, healthier, and involved communities throughout the region,” said The Resurrection Project’s President and COO Vicky Arroyo. “Developing assets like Casa Durango during a time when families are experiencing displacement is fundamental to our work.”

Casa Durango is the newest affordable housing development in Pilsen in five years. All of this is possible because of our residents, community members, city officials, and financial partners. 

“The Department of Housing is thrilled to see Casa Durango come to fruition after awarding funding in the first funding round under Mayor Lightfoot. This is an example, along with the acquisition of the 6-acre site at 18th and Peoria, of the City’s strong support for affordable housing and fighting displacement in Pilsen. We thank our partners at The Resurrection Project for their unwavering commitment to this community,” said DOH Commissioner Marisa Novara.

Casa Durango was financed with a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation from the City of Chicago. “Affordable housing is the cornerstone of a healthy community, and we are proud to be a part of this effort to create a better future for families in Pilsen,” IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust said. “IHDA believes everyone deserves access to safe, stable and affordable housing, and we look forward to building on this progress both here in Chicago and in communities throughout the state.”

The apartments are for households earning 30% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI) –between $27,950 and $55,920 annual income for a family of four (2022 income limits). A total of 14 units within the 1858 S. Racine Avenue building will be targeted for households earning less than 30% AMI through vouchers from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). 

“No one government agency can do it alone. It takes partners in the private sector, the non-profit sector and in other government agencies, working hand-in-hand, to make housing developments like Casa Durango possible. We would like to thank Mayor Lightfoot, The Resurrection Project and IHDA, among others, for helping to expand affordable housing opportunities across our great City of Chicago. It is all part of CHA’s mission to keep neighborhoods affordable, and to invest not just in buildings – but invest in people.” said, CHA CEO Tracey Scott.

“We are pleased to see projects respond to the affordable housing needs of the 25th Ward. At the same time, our office strives to achieve community consensus with every development project in our neighborhoods. Through community review and the 25th Ward Zoning Advisory Board, suggestions were made and compromises met between The Resurrection Project and their immediate neighbors at this site – an excellent example of collaboration. We will continue these efforts both at City Hall and within our community to make sure that all voices are heard and that we continue to provide affordable and accessible housing options for all members of the 25th Ward,” said Alderman Byron Sigcho-López, 25th Ward.

Through investments and financing from the National Equity Fund, Inc. and construction and permanent financing provided by City of Chicago Department of Housing, BMO Harris Bank N.A., and IHDA support healthier neighborhoods. 

Affordable housing like Casa Durango creates healthy communities, and as is TRP tradition, the affordable housing development is named after the Mexican State of Durango, a mountainous and heavily forested area in the country’s northwest region. Since 1990, TRP has leveraged an initial $30,000 investment into $641M in community wealth created and preserved.

Tour Casa Durango virtually