Historic former school building, closed in 2014, has been rehabilitated into affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Gorman & Company, the Phoenix Foundation and community partners to cut the ribbon on the Charles Earle School Apartments. The grand opening celebration for the City-backed housing retrofit project of the historic Charles Warrington Earle School at 6121 S. Hermitage Ave. welcomes 50 affordable supportive homes to Englewood.
“While we can never undo or make up for the harm that was done to our communities when our schools were closed, we can decide what comes next. And what comes next must be investments in opportunity, stability, and dignity,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By bringing Earle back to life and returning it to the community through permanent supportive housing for individuals and families at risk of homelessness, the building is entering a new chapter of serving Englewood—providing a place to call home for residents who deserve the stability and support to plant roots and build a brighter future right here in Chicago.”
The $34.9 million development was supported by $4.2 million in Tax Increment Financing assistance and $540,000 in Chicago Recovery Plan Permanent Supportive Housing funding granted by the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH). Additional financing was provided through the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing Program, ComEd energy incentives, private financing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity, and federal and state Historic Tax Credit equity.
“Instead of letting a developer buy this property and turn it into luxury apartments, Gorman & Company and the Phoenix Foundation did the brave thing and the right thing,” said DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda. “They rolled their sleeves up and worked for over a decade to bring a fully affordable building to West Englewood.”
“Earle School Apartments reflects what is possible when preservation, partnership, and community needs come together,” said Matt Burbach, Director of Development for Gorman & Company’s Illinois market. “This building has been part of the fabric of Englewood for more than a century. We are grateful to the many partners who helped carry it into its next chapter as quality affordable housing with services that support resident stability. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead to community-led projects like The Regenerator that will continue supporting Englewood’s growth.”
The Earle School Apartments houses 30 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments, all affordable to households at 60% of the area median income (AMI). Nine units, supported by the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund’s MAUI program, are available for households at 15% AMI.
The Phoenix Foundation will provide residents with access to on-site supportive services for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The development includes a community room, computer lab, exercise room, playground, community garden, green space and on-site property management.
Originally constructed in 1897 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the former Charles Warrington Earle School served Chicago students for more than a century before its closure in 2014.
The project is part of ongoing efforts to redevelop former school properties in and around Englewood, including Gorman & Company’s Regenerator project and the pending redevelopment of the former Bontemps School site.
The all-electric development is also located near the Ashland/63rd Green Line station and the 63rd Street bus corridor, contributing to the Johnson administration’s ongoing effort to drive forward investment and revitalization within the Englewood community.
