Sedgwick Terrace

The 2023 HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition called for strategies to maximize affordable units on a 0.45-acre Chicago Housing Authority site at 420–430 W North Avenue. The underused property, currently occupied by two obsolete six-unit buildings, sits in a thriving, transit-rich neighborhood near downtown, employment hubs, and DePaul University. Our proposal, Sedgwick Terrace, is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development featuring a childcare center prioritizing residents, a rooftop garden, and a public lobby that keeps the street level active year-round. Aligned with Chicago’s Climate Action Plan, the design incorporates all-electric systems, low-carbon materials, and resilience spaces serving as community cooling and warming centers. Modular unit design and equitable TOD incentives nearly double the allowable unit count, while financing leverages 9% LIHTC credits, Project-Based Vouchers, and $1M in soft debt to preserve long-term affordability. The project also supports resident wealth-building through Family Self-Sufficiency and Choose to Own programs.