Chicago, Illinois: Building Affordable and Integrated Housing for People Living with Disabilities

January 21, 2020  

Chicago, Illinois: Building Affordable and Integrated Housing for People Living with Disabilities

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support inclusive community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

An important principle of ensuring equitable access to housing opportunities is that individuals living with disabilities have a right to receive needed support in integrated, community-based settings rather than in institutions. Completed in 2016, mission-driven developer IFF's Access Housing project created or rehabilitated 54 scattered-site units of affordable, accessible housing units in the areas around Humboldt Park and Logan Square in Chicago, also helping to stabilize those neighborhoods in the process. The project's one- and two-bedroom units accommodate individuals and small families, and a range of design features ensure that units can serve a diverse constituency, including people with limited vision, hearing, or dexterity. The Access Housing units build on IFF's experience constructing scattered-site and accessible housing throughout Illinois and point to ongoing efforts to develop better public policy and building practices in meeting the housing needs of people living with disabilities.

Visit HUD User's Case Studies page to learn more about affordable housing and to view other promising examples of how communities across the nation are raising the bar on inclusive community development.

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