Cook County Celebrates Completion of Two Modular Homes Installed on Vacant Lots in Humboldt Park

COOK COUNTY, IL — Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined the Cook County Land Bank Authority, representatives from Inherentance and other elected officials today to announce the completion of the first two homes that are part of the Cook County Modular Homes Pilot Program. The $12 million initiative is focused on the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago, Chicago Heights and Proviso Township, all communities with limited new home construction.

The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development’s Department of Planning and Development is leading this pilot program, which will see 120 modular homes constructed in the three designated communities.

“These modular homes will provide affordable, quality housing in communities of need, and we are grateful to our many partners for their collaboration,” said President Preckwinkle. “Our hope is this program will make homeownership more accessible for individuals and families and break down financial barriers that have historically kept many families from owning a home.”

Both homes are located on the 800 block of North Homan Avenue in Humboldt Park. They are the first of 12 homes that will be constructed across 12 vacant lots provided by the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) in the community.

Those earning up to 120% of the county’s median income are eligible to apply for the Modular Homes Pilot Program. In Disproportionately Impacted Areas and Qualified Census Tracts, there is no income limit.

The CCLBA transferred ownership of 12 vacant lots in Humboldt Park to the nonprofit development company Inherentance, which builds each home in its North Lawndale facility on the West Side of Chicago over an eight-week period, then transports them to the vacant lots. Several other homes in Humboldt Park are near completion.

“Our mission has always been to make homeownership accessible and sustainable and we are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative to transform vacant lots into beautiful, affordable homes,” said Inherentance Founder Tim Swanson. “By using modular construction, we’re not only delivering homes faster but also ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. As each stage of the project progresses, we are excited to see the vibrancy we can bring to the entire community.”

Modular homes are pre-built in sections within a controlled environment and are transported to the site to be fully assembled. These homes are designed to exceed local building codes and energy standards and are evaluated by local inspection teams across Cook County. The modular approach protects construction from weather-related delays, minimizes waste and speeds up the home-construction process.

“The modular homes pilot is an innovative step toward addressing the housing gap by turning underutilized lots into high-quality, affordable homes,” said Jessica Caffrey, executive director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority. “By partnering with developers like Inherentance, we’re not only creating new homeownership opportunities but also investing in the long-term stability and growth of communities like Humboldt Park.”

The 12 homes in Humboldt Park will each be 1,445 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms across two floors. They will be all-electric, with Google Smart Home technology throughout, and include two parking spaces and a fenced-in yard. Homeowners will also have the option to customize the finishes of their new home.

Prospective homeowners can apply for several financial assistance programs, including the Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides subsidies of 5 percent of the home’s sale price or $25,000, whichever is less. Homebuyers can also apply for the CCLBA’s Purchase Assistance Program, which helps remove the barriers that prospective homeowners might have faced otherwise by providing them with a grant of up to 6 percent of the purchase price of the home–capped at $20,000.

Mortgage payments for each home will vary depending on subsidy amounts.

For more information on the Cook County Modular Homes Pilot Program, visit cookcountyil.gov/service/modular-homes-pilot-program.