Habitat announced two significant milestones in its efforts to bring new mixed-use and mixed-income developments to Chicago: the financial closing of the first residential phase of the LeClaire Courts redevelopment in Garfield Ridge and the full lease-up of The Junction at OC Living, the second residential phase of its Ogden Commons development in North Lawndale. Both milestones underscore the need for attainable housing paired with essential community services and neighborhood-focused retail.
“As one of our transformative mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopments is just getting underway and another reaches the fully leased mark, it’s clear there’s a pent-up demand for quality attainable housing connected to the services, amenities and retail that allow communities to thrive,” said Matt Fiascone, president of Habitat. “At Habitat, we believe affordable housing should go beyond simply providing a roof overhead. By intentionally integrating health care, childcare, retail, open space, recreation and other essential services into our developments, we create communities that support residents and families in every aspect of daily life. LeClaire Courts and Ogden Commons reflect the positive impact of thoughtful community-centered development.”
Habitat and Partners Close on LeClaire Courts
The Habitat Company, together with Cabrera Capital Partners, has completed the financial closing for the first residential phase of the long-planned $127 million redevelopment of LeClaire Courts on the city’s Southwest Side. The closing officially sets construction in motion for the mixed-income community with work expected to begin this fall.
Located in Garfield Ridge on a 32-acre parcel bounded by Cicero Avenue to the east, 45th Street to the south, Lavergne Avenue to the west and the Stevenson Expressway to the north, Habitat’s multiphase redevelopment will rise at the former site of the 1950s-era LeClaire Courts public housing complex, which was demolished in 2011. The redevelopment calls for up to 700 residential units — the majority of which are affordable — and approximately 440,000 square feet of commercial space and publicly accessible open space.
The first phase comprises two six-story mixed-use buildings along Cicero Avenue between 44th and 45th streets. The two buildings will deliver a combined 183 apartments in a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Ninety percent of the homes will be designated as affordable through income and rent restrictions associated with public financing sources, while the remaining units will be offered at market rates.
Residents will have access to amenities including fitness centers, community rooms, resident services space, package rooms, bicycle storage, landscaped outdoor gathering and playground areas. A day care center operated by Chicago Commons will be a key component of the first phase, providing an invaluable resource for working families by offering convenient access to high-quality childcare just steps from home.
“Reaching financial close marks a pivotal step in bringing the vision for LeClaire Courts to life,” said Charlton Hamer, senior vice president of Habitat Affordable Group. “This milestone reflects years of collaboration among public, private and community partners who share a commitment to creating high-quality housing and opportunities for residents on Chicago’s Southwest Side. We look forward to starting construction on this impactful project and delivering a vibrant mixed-income, mixed-use community that will serve residents for generations to come.”
Future phases of the LeClaire Courts redevelopment include additional mixed-income multifamily buildings, townhome-style residences, publicly accessible open space and retail intended to help reconnect the site with the surrounding Garfield Ridge neighborhood.
Funding sources for the project include a $27 million capital loan from the Chicago Housing Authority, $9.5 million in city multifamily program funds, $5.5 million in tax-increment financing, $33.7 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity, $1.25 million in Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit equity and a $1.2 million deferred developer fee. The financing structure reflects the strong public-private partnerships required to advance large-scale affordable housing developments, bringing together the Chicago Housing Authority, the city of Chicago, Bank of America and other mission-driven investment partners. The redevelopment was designed by SCB, with George Sollitt Construction Co. serving as general contractor.
The Junction at OC Living Fully Leased as Third Residential Phase Advances
Habitat also announced full lease-up of The Junction at OC Living, the second residential phase of the $200 million mixed-use, mixed-income Ogden Commons development located north of Ogden Avenue, between Talman and Washtenaw avenues in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood that began leasing earlier this spring. The Junction at OC Living builds on the success of the project’s first residential phase, The Boulevard at OC Living, which opened in mid-2024 and achieved full leasing in early 2025.
Together, the first two residential phases demonstrate sustained demand for high-quality affordable housing in North Lawndale and further establish Ogden Commons as a destination for residents and the surrounding community. In addition to mixed-income residences, Ogden Commons, developed in partnership with Sinai Chicago, includes commercial space occupied by Sinai Chicago’s One Lawndale Community Care and Surgery Center, a health clinic and outpatient care facility; a Wintrust Bank branch; and La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant.
Habitat is now advancing the third and final residential phase of the development, known as The Parkline at OC Living. The Parkline will feature a mix of townhomes and multi-flat residences with larger floor plans specifically designed to meet the needs of families seeking additional living space within the city.
“Reaching full occupancy so quickly at The Junction at OC Living is a powerful validation of our vision for Ogden Commons and reinforces the need for continued investment in mixed-income, mixed-use communities across Chicago’s south and west sides,” said Hamer. “Habitat and its partners look to build on that momentum with Ogden Commons’ third residential phase.”
The Parkline at OC Living was recently awarded funding through the Chicago Department of Housing’s 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan, or QAP, as part of the city’s announcement of more than $300 million in investments supporting 15 affordable housing developments across Chicago. Released every two years, the QAP establishes the framework for distributing city housing assistance and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, one of the nation’s most important tools for financing affordable housing development through public-private partnerships.
Habitat anticipates breaking ground on The Parkline at OC Living in 2027. Upon completion of this final phase, Ogden Commons will include more than 350 mixed-income housing units. SCB was the design architect for The Junction at OC Living, with McHugh Construction serving as general contractor.
