Chicago Opens United Yards Affordable Housing

The new Back of the Yards development provides 51 affordable homes to local households.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Commercial

Chicago Opens United Yards Affordable Housing

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City officials have opened United Yards 1A, a new affordable housing project located at 4703 S. Justine St. in Chicago. The development aims to serve local workers by offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units.

Why it matters

This project transforms formerly vacant space into residential housing for families earning between 15 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. It also integrates economic development by including new retail space and a technology training center.

The $46 million development features 17 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom homes. Funding included $25 million in tax-exempt bonds and $14.5 million in TIF funds and Chicago Recovery Plan resources.

The players

City of Chicago

The local municipal government body responsible for zoning, urban planning, and the distribution of tax-exempt bonds and TIF funds for public projects.

The details

Twelve of the 51 total units in the building receive support through the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund. The site serves as the second phase of a three-part development plan designed to anchor investment in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

October 15, 2026: Ribbon cutting ceremony for the United Yards 1A development.

Culture Shift

This development follows the investment pattern established by the Chicago Recovery Plan to revitalize urban infrastructure. It signals a move toward utilizing public-private financing to anchor residential stability in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.

Residents seeking affordable housing can access new unit availability in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The inclusion of an on-site technology training center also provides local workers with direct access to professional development resources.

The takeaway

The United Yards project demonstrates how cities are leveraging tax-exempt bonds to convert vacant land into mixed-use community hubs. Residents can monitor local housing department listings to track future eligibility and application requirements for similar developments.