Mayor Brandon Johnson, joined by Alderwoman Michelle Harris (8th Ward), Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ, celebrated the official ribbon cutting for the newly completed Imani Village Senior Residence on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The event, which also included members of the Trinity United Church of Christ community, neighborhood leaders, and Pullman residents, marked the addition of 70 new affordable homes to the historic Pullman neighborhood.
The City-backed project is designed to provide stable, independent living opportunities specifically tailored to the needs of older residents. Mayor Johnson highlighted the development as a model for community-driven investment, stating, “As we work to build up housing access throughout Chicago, we must remember that people deserve not just stable housing, but dignity and security in every facet of their lives. Imani Village is a shining example of what we can deliver for Chicagoans through deliberate, community-driven investments.”
Located at 9621 S. Cottage Grove Ave, the five-story structure features a diverse mix of affordable housing options, including 60 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom apartments. Housing affordability is structured to serve seniors across multiple income brackets, with eight units available at 15% of the Area Median Income (AMI), eight serving residents at 30% AMI, and 54 apartments available at 60% AMI. Starting rents range from an accessible $214 up to $1,140 a month. The project received substantial support from the Chicago Department of Housing, which provided $13.9 million in financing and capital support.
Alderwoman Harris, representing the 8th Ward, expressed enthusiasm for the development, noting, “I’m thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new state-of-the-art, Imani Village Senior Residence… This milestone reflects our shared commitment to safe, dignified, and affordable senior housing in the 8th Ward. Thanks to the leadership and collaboration of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing, we are turning a vision into reality.”
This achievement aligns with Mayor Johnson’s broader affordable housing agenda, which aims to confront the housing crisis by expanding accessible housing opportunities and growing Chicago’s housing stock. Commissioner Castañeda emphasized the importance of the project for the neighborhood’s elderly population. “Pullman is a culturally rich, historic neighborhood with a significant senior population, so it’s crucial that they have the opportunity to age in place, independently, while being supported by a community of their peers,” she said.
Beyond providing housing, the Imani Village project, which is a facet of the broader 23-acre Imani Village master plan, is positioned to benefit the entire Pullman community. It is designed to be a fully sustainable urban community, establishing a center for intergenerational living, generating jobs, and sparking economic activity. The building adheres to the Enterprise Green Certification requirements and includes space for rooftop solar installation, along with various common areas designed to build community ties. Residents will have access to comprehensive support and opportunities to remain engaged, active members of the community through partnerships with local health providers, faith-based groups, and social service organizations.
The development was a joint venture between Trinity United Church of Christ, SPM Properties & Development, LLC, and Trinity 95th & Cottage Grove Planned Community Development Series, LLC. The construction phase created 149 jobs and successfully met the City’s mandate that at least half of all construction-worker hours be filled by Chicago residents. Furthermore, the development demonstrated a strong commitment to equitable development, exceeding subcontracting goals for minority-owned business enterprises (26%) and woman-owned business enterprises (6%). The completed residence will provide three permanent on-site jobs.
The building is conveniently located within the Cottage Grove commercial corridor, offering residents, community members, and visitors accessibility via its proximity to the nearby 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station. Mayor Johnson remains committed to delivering more affordable homes and economic development in Pullman and across Chicago through initiatives like his Build Better Together program and the landmark Green Social Housing ordinance, which utilizes funds from the $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond to create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income housing development.