Chicago's Current Efforts to Utilize Vacant Lots

In order to reduce the number of vacant lots within the city, Chicago supports multiple programs focused on selling these lots back to the community. All housed under the ChiBlockBuilder Program. This is an application based program to encourage the purchase and development of these vacant lots. It is led by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and has absorbed previous programs like the Large Lots Program and Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisitions Program to streamline the process.

The Large Lots Program was designed to help residents, non-profits, and community organizations purchase vacant lots for $1. To ensure these lots were being used by Chicago residents, applicants must have owned property on the same block and had no outstanding financial obligations to the city.

The Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program is similar, but allowed residents to purchase lots directly next to their property for less than market value, often to turn into side yards or gardens. This program had similar requirements but also required a letter from the Alderman and City Council.

City Lots for Working Families sells vacant lots to developers for $1 with the promise to build single-family homes or two flats. This program promotes the construction of affordable housing and can make it easier for low income and first time home buyers to afford homes. Additionally, it aims to involve small and minority owned development companies in creating local employment and housing.

The Missing Middle Infill Housing program focuses specifically on lots between two homes. These lots are sold in clusters of at least four and must be used to construct market value homes. Each lot is $1 and $150,000 is available in construction assistance. This program’s goal is to allow working families to move into these neighborhoods. The latest round of this program funded developments in Morgan Park, South Chicago, and West Chatham.

Each of these programs aims to improve communities, uplift residents, and provide housing, employment, and community engagement across Chicago. By offering low prices for these lots with additional support for construction assistance and reduction of fees associated with buying or selling properties, these programs give smaller developers opportunities while also creating affordable homes and community spaces for Chicago residents.

By Alethea Oakley, Policy Team

Citations

Chi Block Builder. https://chiblockbuilder.com/

City of Chicago, Department of Housing. “City Lots for Working Families.” https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/developers/svcs/city-lots-for-working-families.html

City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development. “Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program (ANLAP).”https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/adjacent_neighborslandacquisiti onprogramanlap.html

City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development. “Large Lot Program.” https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/large-lot-program.html

City of Chicago. “Missing Middle Housing.” https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/missing-middle/home.html

World Business Chicago. “Revitalizing Chicago Neighborhoods With Missing-Middle Housing.” https://worldbusinesschicago.com/allnews/revitalizing-chicago-neighborhoods-with-mis sing-middle-housing