CHICAGO () — In Englewood, a once-vacant century-old house has been brought back to life, offering a first-time buyer a new front door and a chance to build generational wealth through homeownership.
Abria Williams recently received the keys to her fully renovated home, a property she committed to buying before the rehab work was finished.
“Just showing that you can have luxury no matter what part of Chicago you live in,” Williams said.
For Williams, the journey from contract to closing demanded both patience and faith in the people guiding the project.
“It took a lot of trust. Like, I had to just trust the developer, trust my realtor, and just see it through,” she said.
Her home was one of two Englewood properties restored by developer Alejandro Sotello, who said the renovation involved far more than cosmetic upgrades.
“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 part of a broader group of new homeowners benefiting from the City of Chicago’s Rebuild program. The initiative, in partnership with the Chicago Community Loan Fund, aims to turn vacant homes in historically disinvested neighborhoods into renewed housing opportunities.
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.
