Southwest Organizing Project and Brinshore Development Celebrate Groundbreaking of 44‑unit Affordable Housing Development in Southwest Chicago

CHICAGO, IL (April 13, 2026) –Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and Brinshore Development broke ground today on a new five‑story affordable rental development that will deliver 44 high‑quality homes to Southwest Chicago. The project advances SWOP’s community‑led Reclaiming Southwest Chicago initiative, which has successfully transformed neighborhoods impacted by vacancy and foreclosure.

Located at W. 63rd Street and S. Western Avenue, the new building will include 44 Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units, comprised of 24 one‑bedroom and 20 two‑bedroom apartments. The first floor will feature a lobby, community room, fitness center, and mail room, with residential units on floors two through five. The development will also include 11 outdoor parking spaces located on the east side of the property.

“This development is the product of years of perseverance, collaboration, and a shared commitment to community‑driven revitalization,” said David Brint, Co‑founding Principal of Brinshore Development. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with SWOP to deliver affordable homes that strengthen families, stabilize blocks, and support long‑term neighborhood success.”

The project builds on the success of SWOP’s Reclaiming Southwest Chicago campaign, launched in 2012 in response to widespread foreclosures that left communities with dozens of vacant buildings. Partnering with Brinshore Development and United Power for Action and Justice, SWOP initially focused on a 20‑block area containing 93 vacant properties. Through more than $15 million raised, those buildings were acquired and rehabilitated while residents were prepared to become homeowners or renters.

Over the past decade, the target area has seen a dramatic turnaround, including a reduction of vacant buildings from 93 to eight, a 73 percent drop in overall crime, a 50 percent reduction in violent crime, and improvements in local schools. In 2017, SWOP expanded the effort to a neighboring 74‑block area bounded by Western Avenue, California Avenue, 59th Street, and 71st Street.

“For many years, SWOP has been working with community leaders to Reclaim Southwest Chicago from the ravages of the foreclosure crisis, said Jeff Bartow, Executive Director of SWOP. “Today’s groundbreaking is another key step in the process of ensuring that all residents have the ability to live in decent affordable housing in the community.”

Project Funders Include:

• BMO Harris
• LISC Chicago
• Illinois Housing Development Authority
• SWOP Sponsor Loan (State of Illinois DCEO Grant)
• The Richman Group

Toro Construction and BCM serve as the general contractors, and K2 Studio is the architect.

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