The Chicago Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards gave final approval Tuesday for a zoning amendment that will allow Over the Rainbow Association to replace its aging two‑story building with a new five‑story, 30‑unit affordable housing development at 754 W. Belden Avenue, on the corner of North Halsted Street opposite DePaul University’s School of Music.
Project details and design
The proposed building will stand about 58 feet tall and occupy most of the current lot, eliminating an underused surface parking area. All 30 one‑bedroom units are designed to be barrier‑free, featuring lower kitchen and bathroom counters, accessible appliances, higher electrical outlets, lower light switches, and spacious bathrooms with wheel‑in showers. Residents will pay roughly 30 percent of their adjusted gross income toward rent, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development covering the remainder.
In addition to the apartments, the development will include a lobby, community room, shared laundry facilities, a patio, and several ground‑floor units. The design was revised after a community meeting in August, with architect Weese Langley Weese opting for a softer tan‑colored brick and more subdued exterior elements to blend with the surrounding Halsted Street corridor.
Community response
The project was presented to neighbors in August and drew about 50 attendees. While some raised concerns about loading, garbage, parking and building height, overall feedback was positive. Alderman Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward) highlighted the rarity of fully affordable and fully accessible projects in the dense 43rd Ward, noting the importance of adding housing that meets the needs of people with physical disabilities.
“It’s not every day that the dense 43rd Ward gets a fully affordable project, let alone a fully accessible project,” Knudsen said. He added that the organization negotiated aesthetics to ensure the new building fits the corridor’s character.
Need for accessible housing
Over the Rainbow Association, which has owned the Belden property for roughly 25 years, currently operates an eight‑unit building built in 1982. The nonprofit reports a waiting list of more than 60 families for those eight units, underscoring the demand for additional accessible housing. The existing structure’s aging systems and limited unit count, combined with an underused parking lot, prompted the decision to rebuild.
All Over the Rainbow apartments receive rental subsidies, and residents generally do not own cars, making the site’s proximity to multiple transit options a key advantage. The organization plans to temporarily relocate the eight current residents during construction, working individually to find suitable interim housing.
Timeline and broader context
Construction is slated to begin in summer 2027, with an estimated 18‑month build period and occupancy projected for winter 2028‑29. The project aligns with Chicago’s broader effort to address a shortage of affordable, accessible housing. Earlier this year the city settled a lawsuit with disability‑rights group Access Living, committing to provide 2,800 fully accessible affordable units over the next 12 years.
Knudsen said he consulted with Access Living while shaping the Belden proposal to ensure the project meets city standards for accessibility. He emphasized that the 43rd Ward’s transit, cultural institutions, and parks make it an ideal location for people with physical disabilities.
The proposal still requires approval from the full City Council before construction can proceed.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
