CHA Statement on ABLA/Brooks Homes Redevelopment and Resident Engagement

At the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), our mission remains clear: to build and sustain strong communities where seniors thrive and every resident has the opportunity to unlock their economic power. We do this by providing quality, safe and affordable housing through a people-first approach.

In this Year of Renewal, we are approaching our work with urgency, transparency and a commitment to real, lasting solutions. Change doesn’t happen overnight—but meaningful progress is underway.

Recent coverage surrounding the ABLA/Brooks Homes redevelopment and the land lease with the Chicago Fire Football Club highlights the complexity of this transformative project and the passion of resident leaders at ABLA and elsewhere. We deeply value the vital role resident leaders and community voices play in shaping the future of public housing in our city. We respect resident leadership and take the concerns they have raised seriously. To provide clarity and reinforce our commitment, we want to highlight a few key points: 

• Resident safety is our top priority. We actively address concerns and follow HUD-regulated safety procedures on this project, other development projects and CHA properties. CHA monitors safety conditions closely at Brooks Homes and takes corrective action toward ensuring quality and safety where needed.
• Brooks Homes is undergoing full rehabilitation. The project includes comprehensive renovations of all 330 apartments and the installation of new roofs, doors, windows and landscaping. The first phase of apartment renovations is underway, and our commitment to modernizing and preserving this community remains unwavering.
• Construction is back on track. A temporary pause was issued after it was discovered a subcontractor may have been operating without proper licensure. This was promptly referred to CHA’s Office of the Inspector General. Work has since resumed in accordance with updated construction oversight protocols for contractors, subcontractors and all parties involved in the work. 

This redevelopment is a pivotal project for residents and CHA—and a key milestone in our Year of Renewal. The  Year of Renewal is more than an initiative: it is a call to action to build a more inclusive, transparent and accountable housing future for Chicago, in collaboration with our residents, partners and the City of Chicago. 

To follow our progress, visit the new Data and Impact Hub for timely updates on our work. You can also see our Year of Renewal accomplishments.