This article reports on the ongoing efforts to preserve Puerto Rican culture and combat gentrification in Puerto Rico Town, a key neighborhood in Humboldt Park, Chicago. It highlights the role of the Puerto Rican Agenda (PRA) and its partners in advancing policies and developments that promote affordable housing and economic self-determination.
A major milestone was SB1833, a law passed in 2021 that designates an economic development district aimed at protecting cultural identity and increasing access to affordable housing. The article also references a 2023 report by the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute (GCI), which found that over 50% of homeowners and renters in Puerto Rico Town are housing cost-burdened, reinforcing the urgent need for affordable housing initiatives.
The article outlines several affordable housing projects led by community organizations, including Bickerdike’s La Estancia, HHDC’s Teresa Roldan apartments, LUCHA’s Borinquen Bella and Tierra Linda, the Paseo Boricua Arts Building, and the upcoming Teacher’s Village. These developments aim to provide affordable living options while preserving the cultural fabric of the neighborhood.
Ultimately, the article emphasizes the ongoing struggle between development and gentrification in Humboldt Park and the community-led efforts to ensure housing and economic opportunities align with Puerto Rican heritage and self-determination.
From Chicago Business (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)
