Hispanic Housing Development Corporation

07/15/2025

Affordable housing doesn’t just help those who live in it. It strengthens entire communities.

Studies show that affordable housing can increase property values, improve neighborhood safety, and create vibrant shared spaces that benefit everyone. With stable occupancy, reliable rent payments, and residents who are deeply invested in their communities, affordable homes are a smart, long-term investment in both people and places.

07/10/2025

Big wins for Chicago communities! More than $320M in new development projects—including housing, youth programs, and job-creating spaces—are on the way thanks to city support and visionary partners.

07/10/2025

The future of Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood has become stronger thanks to the Community Development Commission. On July 8, they approved $13.2 million in TIF assistance to create 60 units of new affordable housing for seniors. The funds support our plans to adapt and reuse the landmark Pioneer Arcade at 1539 N. Pulaski Road. This project will accomplish two critical goals – stabilizing the community with affordable senior housing and enriching its heritage by restoring the façade of one of its historic buildings.

Completed in 1925, the Pioneer Arcade has long represented the vision and spirit of Chicago’s immigrant communities. Designed by Danish-born Chicago architect Jens J. Jensen, the building met the vision of Greek-born entrepreneurs Gust Regas, Spiros Regas, and Peter Danigeles. They wanted to create an elaborate entertainment and social center for Chicago’s growing Humboldt Park community. The result was a stunning Spanish Baroque Revival-style community center. When it was being built, the Chicago Tribune reported that the building would be “one of the city’s finest,” and “one of the most elaborate recreation buildings in the city.”

We are extremely grateful to the City of Chicago – Government, the Chicago Department of Housing, and the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development. This funding complements the Illinois Housing Development Authority award in July 2024 of 9% LIHTC and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development award of $6.0 million in Section 202 Capital Advance funds and Project Rental Assistance Contract. An application for Firm Commitment was submitted to HUD in June 2025. Construction is expected to start in November 2025 and take roughly 15 months to complete.

07/01/2025

We are proud to announce that the design of our Pedro Albizu Campus Apartments won The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design at the 31st Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards.

We congratulate our architects and valued long-time partner, Pappageorge Haymes Partners, for their excellent design. The award “recognizes the importance of great architecture and craftsmanship to city life.” The design beautifully realized HHDC’s comprehensive development strategy to preserve Paseo Boricua, the Puerto Rican cultural boulevard in Humboldt Park, and mitigate the impact of increasing gentrification in the community.

Once again, congratulations to Pappageorge Haymes Partners and all the winners! Thank you, LISC Chicago, for the recognition.

06/18/2025

Affordable housing isn’t just good for families—it’s good for business. When housing is affordable, residents have more disposable income to spend locally, supporting neighborhood businesses and services.

The numbers speak for themselves:
✅ For every 100 affordable rental homes built, nearly 300 jobs are created.

✅ Each development generates $28M in local income and $11M in taxes.

✅ Every $1M invested produces 11.2 jobs and $2.3M in economic output.
From job creation to increased tax revenue and stronger local spending, the impact of affordable housing ripples through entire communities.

Let’s keep building—not just homes, but thriving, sustainable neighborhoods.

06/16/2025

What a weekend! 🇵🇷

HHDC was proud to join the celebration at this year’s Puerto Rican Festival in Chicago, honoring culture, community, and resilience. From music and dancing to connection and pride, it was a powerful reminder of the roots that inspire our work every day.

We celebrate not only our heritage, but also the future we’re building—together—through economic development and community strength.
Check out some of our favorite moments from the festival!

06/13/2025

Latinos on the Move, the Latino Policy Forum’s flagship event, puts a spotlight on pressing issues relevant to the Latino community to bring them to the forefront of the public agenda and celebrates community leaders who have impacted and uplifted our community. Latinos on the Move 2025 is particu...

06/13/2025

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06/13/2025

Can’t wait!

06/13/2025

Congratulations to our own, Sol Flores!

Crain's Chicago Business recently published its 2025 Notable Leaders in Philanthropy list, and we are proud to announce 16 Fellows were recognized among the 78 accomplished leaders making an impact. These leaders are advancing equity, building cross-sector partnerships, securing vital resources and delivering services that improve lives across the Chicago region.

Please join us in congratulating LGC Board Member Stacey Bolton and the following LGC Signature Fellows and Daniel Burnham Fellows:

🔸 Daniel O. Ash (Daniel Burnham Fellow)- President, The Field Foundation of Illinois

🔹 Vaughn Bryant (LGC Fellow since 2016) - Executive Director, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives

🔹 Kirstin Chernawsky (LGC Fellow since 2019) - Executive Director, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation

🔹 Ricardo "Ric" Estrada (LGC Fellow since 2001) - CEO, Metropolitan Family Services

🔹 Sol Flores (LGC Fellow since 2011) - CEO, Knight Impact Partners

🔸 Mark Ishaug (Daniel Burnham Fellow ) - President & CEO, Thresholds

🔹 Ignacio Lopez (LGC Fellow since 2020) - Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance

🔹 Kate Maehr (LGC Fellow since 2005) - Executive Director & CEO, Greater Chicago Food Depository

🔹 Grace Chan McKibben (LGC Fellow since 2005) - Executive Director, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community

🔸 Cindy Moelis (Daniel Burnham Fellow and LGC Board Member) -President, Pritzker Traubert Foundation

🔹 Jose Muñoz (LGC Fellow since 2023) - CEO, La Casa Norte

🔹 Paula Robinson (LGC Fellow since 1992) - President, Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission

🔸 Smita N. Shah (Daniel Burnham Fellow) - Board Member, After School Matters; CEO, SPAAN Tech, Inc

🔹 Melanie Sillas (LGC Fellow since 2025) - Executive Director, Chicago State Foundation

🔹 Jennifer W. Steans (LGC Fellow since 1997) - Trustee, Rush University System for Health; President & CEO, Financial Investments Corporation

🔹 Elizabeth Swanson (LGC Fellow since 2006) - CEO, A Better Chicago

View the full list of honorees here: https://bit.ly/3ZI2bgi

06/12/2025

This weekend, we celebrate the vibrant culture, resilience, and contributions of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. From Humboldt Park to beyond, the Puerto Rican Festival is a joyful reminder of the pride, traditions, and history that help shape our city.

At HHDC, we’re proud of our deep roots in the Puerto Rican community and remain committed to uplifting neighborhoods through affordable housing, economic development, and opportunity.

¡Wepa! Here's to culture, community, and continuing the legacy.

06/10/2025

We’re proud to share that HHDC Board Member Sol A. Flores has been named one of Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Philanthropy—a well-deserved recognition for a true champion of equity and community impact.

The Hispanic Housing Development Corporation is honored to have Sol Flores as a member of our Board of Directors. She has served on the HHDC board for the last 12 years. In addition to being CEO of Knight Impact Partners, her many accomplishments include serving as the founding Executive Director of La Casa Norte (LCN), serving as Illinois deputy governor for health and human services (2019-2023), serving on the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals, and being on the boards of Leadership Greater Chicago, Latino Policy Forum, and the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund. We are thrilled to benefit from Ms. Flores' amazing leadership and look forward to flourishing under her continued direction.

We are deeply grateful for her vision, service, and leadership, and we look forward to continuing to build stronger communities together.