CPAH, Open Communities, and City of Evanston Partner to Transform Long-Vacant Property into Affordable Housing

Evanston, IL – What has been a long-standing neighborhood blight will soon become a new beginning for an Evanston family. Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), Open Communities, and the

This home will be renovated and sold at an affordable price as part of a Community Land Trust.

City of Evanston have teamed up to rehabilitate the property at 1808 Hovland Court, which has stood vacant for more than a decade.

The single-family home was severely damaged by a fire in 2018, but it had already been abandoned for years. “This property has been an eyesore and a nuisance to the neighborhood for over 10 years,” said Fifth Ward Alderman Bobby Burns, who led the City’s effort to acquire the property. The City donated the site to CPAH, and Open Communities contributed $185,000 to support the redevelopment.

The home will undergo full gut rehab, including new electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, windows, flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms. A dormered roof will be added to convert the current 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom layout into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home—ideal for a larger family.

“Open Communities is thrilled to partner with CPAH and the City of Evanston to bring this abandoned house back to life for a local family,” said Cheryl Lawrence, Executive Director of Open Communities.

She noted that the $185,000 donation stems from a fair housing settlement addressing discriminatory practices under the Fair Housing Act in communities of color.

Cheryl Lawrence (Executive Director of Open Communities), Bobby Burns (5th Ward Alderman), Rob Anthony (President of CPAH) at 1808 Hovland Court.

The revitalized home will be sold at an affordable price through CPAH’s Community Land Trust (CLT) program, which ensures long-term affordability. “The Community Land Trust program helps low- and moderate-income families achieve homeownership and build equity, while still ensuring the home remains affordable for future buyers,” said Rob Anthony, President of CPAH.

The home is expected to be move-in ready by late fall. Prospective buyers can register for a free Community Land Trust info session at cpahousing.org/class-registration.

This project’s impact goes even further. CPAH leveraged the support from Open Communities and the City to secure state tax credits, which will allow the organization to acquire and preserve an additional 5-unit affordable rental building in Evanston that was going to be converted to market-rate housing.

“Transforming vacant properties and preserving affordable housing is a win-win for the entire community,” said Alderman Burns. “Strategic partnerships like this show what’s possible when we come together with a shared commitment to serving the community.”

The CPAH, Open Communities, and City of Evanston partnership will increase perpetually affordable housing in Evanston.

Contact Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) President Rob Anthony at 847-263-7478 ext. 22 or ranthony@cpahousing.org with questions.

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