Chicago Construction News staff writer
Thirty-five multi-unit buildings totaling 99 new housing units are planned for McKinley Park and East and West Garfield Park as part of the next phase of the City of Chicago’s Missing Middle infill housing program, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Ciere Boatright announced Wednesday.
Valued at $35.5 million, the projects will replace 24 vacant city lots with two-, three- and four-flat buildings targeted to owner-occupants earning up to 140% of the area median income — about $134,400 annually for a two-person household.
“These developments will put vacant City lots into productive use, bring attractive and much-needed infill housing to local blocks while creating home-ownership opportunities that build community wealth,” Boatright said.
Missing Middle housing refers to small residential buildings that historically filled city blocks but have largely disappeared due to disinvestment, leaving a gap between single-family homes and larger apartment complexes.
The selected development teams and projects include:
Citizens Building a Better Community, East Garfield Park – $10.6 million for six three-flats and three four-flats on South Homan Avenue and the 3500 blocks of West Jackson Boulevard and West Adams Street.
Westside Community Group, East Garfield Park: $9.4 million for 10 three-flats on West Adams Street and the 3300 and 3400 blocks of West Monroe Street.
Garfield Together Partnership, West Garfield Park: $8 million for seven three-flats on the 3800 blocks of West Washington Boulevard and West West End Avenue.
TRUDelta, West Garfield Park: $3.1 million for four two-flats on the 4000 block of West Jackson Boulevard.
Urbanism LLC, McKinley Park: $4.4 million for five two-flats on the 2400 block of West 34th Place.
The city may provide up to $150,000 in developer assistance per unit and sell City lots for $1 each to ensure homes are affordable while reflecting market rates. Funding would come from Housing and Economic Bond proceeds, pending City Council approval.
Projects were selected from 37 applications submitted in fall 2025. Missing Middle is part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s broader market-rate housing strategy, which includes office conversions, multi-family construction, and other initiatives aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities on Chicago’s South and West sides.
The program is expected to support the construction of more than 500 new homes, with over 200 units already advancing in North Lawndale, Chatham, South Chicago, and Morgan Park through previous rounds.
More information on the program is available at
