CHICAGO (WLS) — A transformative project has breathed new life into a century-old home in Englewood, offering a fresh path to homeownership for newcomers while laying the groundwork for lasting financial growth.
Recent homeowner Abria Williams has embarked on this exciting journey, having acquired her beautifully renovated home even before the final touches were put in place.
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“It’s a testament that luxury living is possible in any Chicago neighborhood,” Williams expressed with enthusiasm.
Williams candidly shared that the experience demanded considerable patience and reliance on those involved.
“It was all about trust. Trust in the developer, trust in my realtor; it was about believing in the process,” she reflected.
The home was one of two properties renovated by developer Alejandro Sotello. According to Sotello, the work required extensive reconstruction.
“There’s nothing in here that stayed. Both buildings were gutted to the brand, so there’s nothing that stayed except the shell of it,” Sotello said.
Williams is among a growing number of homeowners supported through the City of Chicago’s Rebuild program. The initiative, working alongside the Chicago Community Loan Fund, focuses on redeveloping vacant properties in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment.
More than 70 homes throughout Chicago have already been developed through the program. The effort aims to preserve housing stock, reduce blight, return properties to productive use, and create pathways to homeownership.
“The program brings together the resources and expertise needed to preserve existing housing, to turn vacant properties to productive use,” said Wendell Harris of the Chicago Community Loan Fund.
For Sotello, the rehabilitation of the two Englewood homes carries personal significance.
“It’s a feeling of fulfillment, right? To be able to do something else for somebody else, not just the people who can afford it,” Sotello said.
The renovated homes feature hardwood floors, balconies, fireplaces, and fresh paint. During the event, Mayor Brandon Johnson joked about a future visit to Williams’ home.
“You are hosting Thanksgiving in your new career. I’ve been working on my mac and cheese. I got you,” Johnson said.
The City of Chicago’s Rebuild program said it currently has 45 additional homes under development as it continues its effort to expand homeownership opportunities across the city.
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