Mayor Brandon Johnson Welcomes New Residents At Thrive Englewood

CHICAGO -Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the Welcome Home Ceremony at the newly completed Thrive Englewood housing development where he met with residents and toured several of the 62 new homes. The event marked a significant milestone in the Mayor's ongoing effort to expand access to affordable housing while revitalizing historically underserved communities on the South and West Sides.

"Today signals a new era, one defined not by what Englewood has lacked, but by what it deserves: sustained investment, respect, and opportunity," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We're committed to making this the beginning, not the end. My administration will continue to work alongside Englewood residents to ensure that every child, every parent, and every elder has access to safe, stable, and truly affordable housing. Building a safe and affordable city starts in communities like Englewood, so I'm proud that we took another step forward this morning."

Video from the event is available here.

"This project embodies the resilience, integrity, and excellence of the Englewood community," said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th). "Working together to overcome challenges, we got this project over the line and today welcome 62 families back home to this beautiful neighborhood. I'm confident we will maintain our partnership and respect as we continue to bring more housing to this proud community."

In partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Chicago, Thrive Englewood will provide families on-site services including financial education, counseling, and stability resources designed to help residents build a stronger financial future.

"Today we celebrate more than just a building, this is the beginning of a movement to bring families back to Englewood and set community members up for long-term success," said Leon Walker, CEO & Founder, DL3 Realty. "Neighborhoods function best when vacant lots become homes and major corridors become thriving community centers. By ensuring those homes are built by local residents and businesses, we are building opportunity and prosperity for all."

Located at 6249 S Sangamon St, the completed six-story structure introduces 62 new homes-including 27 one-bedroom apartments, 30 two-bedroom units, and five three-bedroom apartments-alongside two live/work lofts and commercial retail space on the ground floor.Over 80% of units are fully affordable at 50-60% of the area median income (AMI), ensuring working families can remain in Englewood.

The project received more than $40 million in financing and capital support from the Department of Housing (DOH) and Department of Planning and Development (CPD), including $5 million in TIF funds, $10.9 million in HOME funds, $1.5 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, $6.6 million in City of Chicago CRP funds, and $14.3 million in Federal Tax Credit Equity. The City also provided the previously vacant lot which now houses the development.

"Thrive Englewood represents more than just new housing-it reflects a promise fulfilled to the families who have long been the backbone of this community. By creating a vibrant, mixed-income development, we are fostering the kind of inclusive growth that strengthens neighborhoods and keeps communities whole," said DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda. "This is what equitable development looks like-preserving affordability, expanding opportunity, and building a stronger Chicago, one home at a time. Projects like this don't just provide housing-they boost the local economy by attracting investment, supporting small businesses, and creating good jobs."

In line with the City's commitment to equitable development, subcontractor spending exceeded City goals-43% of contract spending went to minority-owned businesses and 7% was awarded to women-owned businesses. Nearly 50% of all construction hours were completed by Chicago residents. Thrive Englewood meets the Enterprise Green Communities Certification, a similar multifamily sustainability certification to the LEED program.

Thrive Englewood's amenities include a resident lounge, fitness center, bike storage, outdoor patio space laundry on each floor, and 2,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Located steps from the CTA's 63rd/Halsted Green Line station, the new development connects residents to jobs and opportunities across Chicago. Adjacent to the Englewood Square Shopping Center and Kennedy-King College, the complex will bring new growth opportunities to the Englewood area.

Thrive Englewood was designed by Perkins+Will and constructed by Bowa Construction, the general contractor. DL3 Realty Advisors is the developer, and The Habitat Company is the property manager. The building achieved its certificate of occupancy in May 2025.

Mayor Johnson remains committed to delivering more affordable homes and projects which spark economic development in Englewood and its surrounding communities. Examples of ongoing and completed projects near Thrive Englewood which received DOH support include:

• Englewood Family Homes - Opened in 2024, the development located at 1507 E 53rd St includes 13 affordable homes, specifically permanent supportive housing for families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

• Charles Earle School Redevelopment - In addition to introducing 50 new 100% affordable homes to Englewood, the Earle School Apartments is an adaptive re-use project bringing new life to the site of a closed public school. The project at 6121 S. Hermitage Ave broke ground in fall 2024 and expects to welcome its first residents in December 2025.
• The Regenerator - With a groundbreaking likely to come early next year, the planned adaptive reuse project will convert the former Woods Elementary School at 6206 S Racine Ave into affordable homes, a health center, and a community center.

Mayor Johnson has put the construction of affordable homes at the center of his strategy to make Chicago more affordable for working people. The City is on track to have built, preserved, or rehabilitated 10,000 affordable units by the end of Mayor Johnson's first term.

Mayor Johnson's landmark Green Social Housing ordinancemade Chicago the first major city in the U.S. to implement the social housing model. Utilizing funds from Mayor Johnson's $1.25 Billion Housing and Economic Development bond, the City created a revolving loan fund operated by an independent non-profit designed to spur mixed-income housing development across the city.

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