Humboldt Park residents received news that the long‑delayed Teachers Village project, which would convert the vacant Von Humboldt Elementary School at 2620 W. Hirsch St. into 103 affordable apartments for teachers and families, has a new developer. The Community Builders, a nonprofit housing organization with a Midwest branch, assumed responsibility for the site last month and is under contract to purchase the property from the former owners, New Jersey‑based RBH Group.
Developer background and recent activity
The Community Builders have completed several Chicago housing initiatives, including the Sankofa Village Wellness Center in West Garfield Park, a third‑phase breakthrough on the Southbridge project on the Near South Side, and an affordable complex in Lincoln Square. Their involvement is presented as a sign of commitment to addressing the city’s housing shortage.
Funding challenges
Despite the ownership change, the project remains stalled because it still requires additional federal funding, specifically low‑income housing tax credits. Alderman Jessie Fuentes noted that the developers are working to secure these credits and other resources, aiming to finalize financing by early next year. The project was originally priced at $50.6 million in 2024 and received $18 million in tax‑exempt bonds from the city in 2022, but cost increases and rising material prices have complicated budgeting.
In 2024, the Chicago Housing Authority increased the number of vouchers earmarked for the development from 27 to 61, covering apartments for households earning 60‑80 percent of the area median income. However, funding is still needed for the remaining 42 units, which are slated for below‑market rent.
Community concerns and safety
With the school building vacant for more than a decade, the site has experienced increased vandalism and trespassing. Alderman Fuentes urged neighbors to report suspicious activity and emphasized that abandonment invites trespassers, jeopardizing the project’s timeline.
Nearby vacant landmarks, such as the closed Congress Theater in Logan Square and the historic Pioneer Bank in Humboldt Park, have also attracted urban explorers, highlighting broader concerns about security at unused properties.
Planned amenities
If funded, the redevelopment will offer a mix of studio, one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units, a fitness room, dog‑wash station, lounge, party room, and a bike room. The first floor will house offices for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and the site will include 53 parking spaces.
Next steps
The developers plan to break ground shortly after securing the needed federal tax credits, though no specific timeline was provided. A building permit application has been pending since December 2023, and a recent zoning review was denied, adding further hurdles to the project’s progress.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
