LUCHA Celebrates the Groundbreaking of La Herencia Apartments
- Nick Malone
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
On Friday morning, LUCHA welcomed community members, partners, and elected officials into the historic Humboldt Park United Methodist Church to celebrate the long-awaited groundbreaking of its new affordable housing redevelopment: La Herencia Apartments.
Standing inside the 1928 sanctuary, attendees were surrounded by the very walls that will soon become 22 permanently affordable homes in Logan Square. Developed in partnership with Canopy Design + Architecture, this first-of-its-kind redevelopment will preserve the historic church’s façade and ten existing apartments while adding twelve new homes—each thoughtfully designed to honor the building’s legacy while meeting a high standard of craftsmanship, beauty, and care.
Bundled up in the Chicago cold together, there was a special intimacy and emotional weight in the air—a reminder that this building’s transformation is not just about construction, but about memory, belonging, and stability. The project is the first in Chicago history to convert a church entirely into 100% affordable housing.
The name La Herencia—which translates to “inheritance”—speaks directly to that legacy. For nearly a century, this space has offered sanctuary in many forms: as a place of worship, as housing for working families, and as a hub for activism and mutual support. Today, the building lives on through a renewed commitment to permanent affordability in a neighborhood facing immense housing pressure.
That legacy was made especially tangible through the presence of Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, whose connection to the building is deeply personal. As a child, she lived in the apartments above the church—making the transformation of the entire building into affordable housing not just a policy victory, but a full-circle moment rooted in lived experience and generational impact.
"This is the place that built me—literally. This is where I first learned to speak, to lead, and to believe in my own voice. This place is holy—not just because of the building itself, but because it shows the most beautiful parts of humanity in a world filled with darkness." — Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Earlier this year, the congregation officially rededicated the property to LUCHA, ensuring the site would continue uplifting the community even as the neighborhood changes. Renovation plans include adding a new elevator and creating modern, energy-efficient apartments with in-unit laundry and accessible layouts. Five units will serve individuals exiting homelessness or living with developmental disabilities, with supportive services provided by Renaissance Social Services.
The ceremony brought together federal, state, and local leaders who spoke to the urgency of building affordable housing near transit, schools, and jobs—especially in rapidly gentrifying areas like Logan Square.
“I moved to this neighborhood because regular people could afford to live in a vibrant, loving community. Increasingly, that opportunity is only available to the wealthiest. Today we’re guaranteeing that this corner will welcome everyone—not just people who can afford luxury condos.” — Illinois Rep. Will Guzzardi
With this ceremony, what began as a six-year effort finally broke ground—but more importantly, broke beyond the limits of what many once believed possible. La Herencia Apartments is not just a housing project; it is a statement. It affirms that preservation, equity, and community-led development can coexist—and that history doesn’t have to be lost to progress. It can guide it.
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Construction is expected to continue over the next year, with LUCHA planning to welcome new residents in 2026. Learn more about how LUCHA is pushing affordable housing in Chicago into the future at lucha.org. ▪