Happy Juneteenth!

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

This year the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) has partnered with local organizations and non-for-profit organizations in an effort to reduce vacant properties throughout our neighborhoods in Cook County. This year our efforts are two-fold and priorities are homeownership and enhancing the economic health and development of communities. 

In memory of this important national freedom day, our first initiative involves awarding four (4) properties to Claretian Associates, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC), No Matter What NFP, and the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) in honor of their commitment to empowering long-neglected and distressed communities.  More information about these organization & properties are below, and we would highly encourage you to scroll down this webpage to see their plans for the property as well as the great work that these organizations have accomplished over the years.

The CCLBA’s second initiative, which is in conjunction with the CCLBA’s Equity Fund Program, involves the CCLBA reducing pricing for a number of properties in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.  Please CLICK HERE to view a spreadsheet of all properties that have had the offer price decreased by as much as 50%.  

If you are interested in acquiring any of the properties on the spreadsheet, please click on the button below to apply for the property in question.  Happy Freedom Day!

3216 E 92nd St | Claretian Associates

3216 E 92nd St, which is being awarded to Claretian Associates, is a dilapidated mixed-use building that Claretian Associates will demolish.  In the future, we can expect affordable housing with office/commercial space.

Claretian Associates (CA) was established in 1991 as an independent 501c3.  CA has deep roots in the South Chicago community, having started as a program for the oldest Chicago Mexican-American immigrant Catholic parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Having paused its home-building activities over 15 years ago with the 2007 economic crash, Claretian Associates’ plan began focusing more on its programs and multi-family rental developments. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the organization and CLICK HERE to view the 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan that Claretian has for the South Chicago community.

7924 S Racine Ave | Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp (GAGDC)

7924 S Racine Ave., which is being awarded to the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC), will continue to use this open space to plan community activities.  GAGDC will now have ownership of the property so they can use it freely for community events at any time.

The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) works to foster and promote revitalization of the low-to-moderate income communities that we serve using comprehensive community development strategies.  Since 2001, the GAGDC has worked in all, or parts of, Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Washington Heights, West Englewood, and West Chatham.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation.

6501 S Bishop St | No Matter What NFP

6501 S Bishop St., which is being awarded to the not-for-profit Not Matter What NFP, will develop a safe space for this property.

No Matter What NFP is an organization that recognizes that the youth of the Chicagoland area face many obstacles that the average young person should not have to go through. By engaging with local organizations, schools, and community members, we gathered input and understandings related to creating resources for youth.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the organization and to view the plans for 6501 S Bishop St.

514 W 66th Pl | Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.)

514 W 66th Pl is being awarded to the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), who has plans to renovate this residential structure and sell to a homeowner.

The Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) is a grassroots organization whose guiding principle is that the key to improving Englewood is activating more residents to be involved with positive change.  R.A.G.E.’s overarching mission is to convene residents, Englewood’s public officials, business owners, and other organizations to strategize, build their power, promote healing, create community solidarity and tangible solutions while actively serving as a credible source for critical information about Englewood. R.A.G.E. galvanize residents in the areas of Civic Engagement, Education & Youth Development, Economic Development, Arts Activism and Public Safety, by hosting bi-monthly Village Meetings where members and residents share information, discuss and debate current Englewood issues, and establish solution-based action plans to improve Greater Englewood. 

To learn more about R.A.G.E., please CLICK HERE to learn about the organization and CLICK HERE to learn about its’ emerging Re-Up Homes program, which is focused on creating pathways to equity and wealth for black families.