Our House is Growing - East Garfield Park Homes

“Chicago House is dedicated to the Getting to Zero Illinois plan to achieve functional zero new transmissions by 2030. Housing plays a vital role in meeting this goal.” - Michael Herman, Chicago House CEO

In the early 1980s, local activists gathered to address the need for housing among community members with AIDS. At the time, a diagnosis or display of symptoms carried immense social stigma while support resources, locally and nationally, were scarce. Individuals lost much more than their health, often finding themselves without a home, a job, or the support of loved ones as symptoms progressed. 

Something needed to be done to deliver hope. 

Chicago House was founded in 1985, and as lives were extended with life-saving medications, we provided a safe space for those impacted by HIV/AIDS and chronic homelessness. Nearly 40 years later, our collective house now includes 369 units – 68 apartments within 4 buildings Chicago House owns and manages as well as 301 subsidized scattered site rentals throughout the city. 

Housing is essential to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Our most recent addition, the Englewood Family Housing Initiative, is modeled after our long-running Family Support Program, which has contributed to improved health, employment and educational outcomes. Though the project faced delays through the pandemic and reconstruction, we are finally ready for residents to move in.  

Recognizing the time it took to reach this point, from ideation to occupancy, Chicago House is already looking ahead to how we can deliver hope to more doorsteps. 

“While Chicago House has offered scattered site housing throughout Chicago for over 15 years, we recognize the need for residential-based housing programs that offer daily on-site support services, especially for communities most impacted by HIV. We are excited to continue to expand our residential housing portfolio.” - Michael Herman, Chicago House CEO

In April, Chicago House was selected by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to move forward with our East Garfield Park project, which will provide 24 new construction units for individuals facing homelessness and living with HIV. Through this expansion, Chicago House will continue to reach the most vulnerable populations and provide a stabilizing space we call home. 
 
Follow along our journey as we continue to expand affordable housing. East Garfield Park Homes are scheduled for completion May 2026, so stay tuned as we progress all the way to move-in day!