# Department of Housing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 8.7.26

- Date: August 7, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 26:45
- Topic: Openings and groundbreakings
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V68-kUHuu08)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 3,202 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/V68-kUHuu08.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=0) Program introduction
- [6:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=408) Remarks by Mayor Johnson
- [9:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=564) Housing commissioner address
- [12:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=762) Partner perspectives
- [17:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1043) Land bank impact
- [20:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1251) Developer and ribbon cutting

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Department of Housing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

## Transcript

[0:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=6) How are you?

[0:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=47) Good morning, good morning, good morning. We're about to get started. It's all good in Englewood. It's all good in Englewood. I am Wendell Harris, the Executive Vice President of Lending at the Chicago Community Loan Fund. On behalf of the Chicago Community Loan Fund, thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the completion of two newly renovated homes at 5638 and 5640 south green in the inglewood community in chicago

[1:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=80) now today is much more than a ribbon cutting it's about what becomes possible when public agencies mission-driven lenders, community development partners, and local developers work together around a shared goal, turning formerly vacant properties into quality housing. We want to acknowledge Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderwoman Stephanie Coleman,

[1:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=116) Commissioner Lizette Castaneda and our partners at the City of Chicago for their leadership. I also want to thank the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Cook County Land Bank, most importantly Inglewood stakeholders, and everyone whose support helped move these homes forward from vacancies to completion. We want to thank Alex and his wife Stephanie, Sotelo, and the A&M team

[2:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=150) for completing the renovation of these homes and most importantly, considering Englewood. Again, it's all good in Englewood. There's so much promise in Englewood, not only with the real estate, but most importantly there is huge promise with the people here. We are here to celebrate the new homes. A vacant can build and consume investment, but a well-built home can become a source of stability,

[3:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=180) prosperity, and opportunity for a family, and more importantly, an entire block. This is the center of the existence of the Chicago Neighborhood Rebuild program, which was actually rolled out in 2018. The program brings together the resources and expertise needed to preserve of existing housing, return vacant properties to productive use, and create pathways to homeownership in communities across Chicago on the south and west sides.

[3:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=216) Chicago Neighborhood Rebuild is helping to demonstrate why it matters to create opportunities for capable, local, and diverse developers who really know Chicago's neighborhood and are invested in Chicago's future. The results are tangible, we're looking at it. To date, Rebuild has revitalized and sold more than 17 homes, with another 45 currently being worked on in communities including Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Garfield Park, Humble Park,

[4:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=256) Pullman and Roseland. At CCLF, we know that promising neighborhood projects do not always fit neatly into conventional lending models. As a community development financial institution, our role is to provide flexible capital, affordable financing, and technical assistance so that community-focused developers and organizations can bring strong projects to completion.

[4:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=289) They also remind us that preserving the homes already standing in our community is an essential part of Chicago's housing strategy. Rehabilitating projects protects, I'm sorry, neighborhood character, removes harm caused by long-term vacancy, and creates new opportunities without waiting for an entirely new development. They're properties that are already existing that we can support.

[5:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=322) CCLF is proud to help connect capital to projects that create real community benefit. it. We are proud to support developers who deliver quality work, and we are proud to partner with public agencies that understand the importance of investing in neighborhoods that have too often been overlooked. Thank you to every person who helped to bring us to this moment, including the contractors, tradespeople, program staff, and neighbors

[5:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=355) who supported the work we look forward to seeing more houses more houses become homes and continuing to build on this model across chicago congratulations to the homeowner i know she's here somewhere there she is i know you didn't want to speak congratulations to you Bria, the Sotelo family, and all of our Rebuild partners. It's a community, it's a village.

[6:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=389) Thank you and welcome to the celebration. At this time, please help me in providing a warm welcome to our Mayor Brandon Johnson. Hey, well good morning everyone. It's really great to be here for this incredible celebration. Before we get into my remarks in the cutting of this ribbon, I do want to thank the Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner, Lissette Constaneda,

[7:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=423) who you'll hear from momentarily, the Chicago Community Loan Fund Executive Vice President of Lending Operations and Equity, Wendell Harris, Cook County Land Bank Authority Deputy Director, Darlene Dugo, Illinois Housing Development Authority, Executive Director Christian Faust, who does amazing work, has had a chance to be at many events like this with her, and A&M Mechanical HVAC and Plumbing owner, Alex Cetelo. I've always believed that safe and affordable and accessible housing is a human right.

[7:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=456) And that is why we've worked so hard to remove the barriers and build more sustainable and affordable housing in Chicago through programs, initiatives, and partnerships like the one that brought us together today. And today, we are celebrating a huge milestone in this overall effort. And through the Department of Housing's Chicago Rebuild program, we're able to rehab these two vacant homes and return them to productive use. To date, this program has revitalized and sold, has been discussed more than 70 homes,

[8:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=487) and we are in the process of another 45 that are being developed. By rehabbing these vacant homes, we are strengthening communities and attracting local economic development and expanding opportunities for affordable home ownership in communities that have historically been underserved. But more importantly, we are giving the individuals and families that call this house a home the opportunity to create a strong foundation, create generational wealth, and form a sense of community. And, Brie, I know you don't want to speak today, but you are hosting Thanksgiving in your new crib.

[8:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=519) So just letting you know we're all coming over. and I've been working on my mac and cheese, I got you. But these important projects do not happen in a vacuum. They happen because of the strong partnerships and collaboration and a shared goal of creating affordable housing for everyone. To the new occupants, again, today's home, I wish you all the best as you plant roots and create new memories and create space where you're able to grow and watch your family grow

[9:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=549) right here in this amazing city. I look forward to many more projects and groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings across the city that will ensure that Chicago truly becomes the safest, most affordable big city in America. Thank you very much. Now, please continue to applause and welcome to the podium of the table, the Commissioner of Housing, Lissette Contenet. Good morning, everyone.

[9:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=580) Good morning. It's not going to quite work for me. Okay. Thank you all for having me. I am so excited to be with you all on this beautiful Friday morning. As has been said, I am Lisa Castaneda. I am the Commissioner of the Department of Housing. Today, we are celebrating not just the building of a new home, but progress in the revival of this block and of Englewood. As Mayor Johnson said, through the Rebuild 2.0 program, DOH aims to not just acquire vacant buildings, but to rehab them into productive and honest use. That investment represents more than the dollars that are attached to a building.

[10:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=615) It represents the public commitment to this block, to this neighborhood, and to the families that deserve the opportunity to build their lives here. The Chicago Department of Housing was able to provide almost half a million dollars in funding to support this property and the neighboring one. Every vacant or abandoned building is one less place a Chicagoan can call home. Every vacant or abandoned building is one less degree of safety that residents will feel along a block. And every vacant or abandoned building is one more reminder of the sins of past policies that have led to the historic disinvestment that we see on the south and west sides,

[10:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=652) even more acutely in black Chicago. These conditions do not happen by accident. They are consequences of choices made over generations about which communities would receive investments, which families would have access to homeownership, and which neighborhoods would be allowed to decline. And today, we stand here and prove that working together, we can do things differently and bring the investment that this community deserves. To that end, I want to thank Ida for their partnership to make this a reality. I want to thank the Chicago Community Loan Fund, the Cook

[11:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=685) County Land Bank Authority, and Alex and Stephanie of A&M Mechanical for their work, not just in developing housing, but in repopulating Chicago. I want to thank my team at DOH, Steph, and particularly Jim, for their stewardship of this program. I want to thank Alderwoman Coleman for her steadfast commitment to the people of Englewood, and of course Mayor Johnson for equipping our department with the tools necessary to build towards a vision of housing for all Chicagoans. While home ownership is just one piece of that vision, it is a critical piece. Home ownership

[11:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=717) can provide a family with stability. It can create wealth that is passed down from one generation to the next. It can give residents a lasting stake in the community they have helped sustain for years of hardship, through the years of hardship and disinvestment. It has never been more important than it is right now, in this moment, as we navigate an affordability crisis, a housing crisis, and a hostile government ripping away pieces of our housing social safety net, that we pour our resources into strategies that work, building more housing and housing more

[12:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=748) people. That remains our commitment, and we will remain laser-focused in that strategy. Thank you. Thanks again, Mayor, for continuing to show your support for the Chicago Neighborhood Rebuild program. Commissioner, thank you for your continued push. in the fight for housing, Stephanie Coleman, Alderwoman Coleman, sends her blessings and

[12:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=779) congratulations, Abria. Next up, I would like to call to the microphone Kristen Faust, the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Thank you, Wendell, and hi, everybody. How are you doing? Good morning. Good morning. As you heard, I'm Kristen Faust. I'm development authority and behalf on behalf of our board our staff some of our staffs here where's

[13:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=813) nikki fioretti she's out here thank you nikki um it's really a privilege to be here this morning in inglewood today as we celebrate not just these beautifully renovated homes but the partnerships that have made it possible um and the work that continues across our neighborhoods our particularly our west and south side neighborhoods of chicago this neighborhood as commissioner referenced as as we know has seen decades of disinvestment but we're seeing real positive change as we collaborate you heard like we're state government this is city government there's

[14:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=847) a county land bank that's county government coming together with the private sector developer coming together with chicago community loan fund the non-profit what is possible and then the community residents existing community residents and brand new community residents like bria and it shows what is possible when you work together, have a vision, and bring everybody together. You know, a few weeks ago at IDA, we had the privilege of bringing and hosting Inglewood resident photographer and social justice artist, Tanika Lewis-Johnson, for a conversation

[14:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=882) on how place, history, and opportunity all intersect to shape our communities. And during this discussion, it was emphasized as As you've heard and as you know that segregation and disinvestment were not accidents, they were systems and systems require intentional sustained action to either preserve them or to take them apart. We can see these themes here at work today. This ribbon cutting is the result of ongoing and

[15:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=914) intentional efforts to address and undo the long-term impacts and systems of unfair and predatory lending racism and redlining every block busting all of the history and it goes on it is the result of our shared belief that the zip code where you grew up should not determine your life's path it's a result of a vision that people should never be forced to choose between staying connected to their community and moving forward because they deserve the opportunity

[15:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=945) need to stay where they live and move forward so but but I'm really tickled that Brea is actually from the west side and she's sorry mayor I'm sorry but it's okay it's all your city they're all but I just want to thank our partners who've been working so hard to stabilize our city block by block site by site you heard it it's Department of Housing is Cook County Land Bank the loan fund our entrepreneurial partners and the developers a and m mechanical and it takes leadership so of course

[16:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=979) we want to thank mayor brandon johnson uh and the alderman and commissioner casaneda but yeah for mayor the mayor's the city's ongoing commitment ongoing commitment to building stronger neighborhoods and expanding home ownership so um tanika when she spoke to us you know we get excited about the sticks and bricks and Tanika reminded us it's about the people and we we know it's about the people too so I especially want to recognize also our new homeowner Bria and wish you best wishes

[16:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1011) we're Ida's proud to support programs like this that center equity strengthen neighborhoods and support positive individual outcomes across Chicago and the entire state of Illinois so congratulations to everybody thank you again for the partnership and we look for forward to working together on more. Thank you, Kristen. Thank you, Kristen. Appreciate all the work that you've done and Ida with helping to filter funding into Chicago Neighborhood Rebuild. Next up, please

[17:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1044) allow me to give a warm welcome to Darlene Dugo with the Cook County Land Bank. Good morning, everyone. I'm Darlene Dugo, the Associate Director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority. First, I'd like to acknowledge our elected and government officials here today. Thank you to our Mayor, Brandon Johnson, who made this program possible. Alderman Stephanie Coleman, whose ward we are in today. DOH, Department of Housing Commissioner, Castaneda, and Illinois Housing Development Authority's Executive Director, Kristen Faust.

[18:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1088) Thank you to CCLF for pulling this partnership together, and thank you to the neighbors on Green Street who've been watching these two buildings for years and waiting to see what would happen. Because that's really the story. Before today, 5638 and 5640 South Green were liabilities to the community. They were vacant, not generating any tax revenue, and were deteriorating more and more each year.

[18:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1124) Properties like these pull value out of the blocks around them. That's the problem that Cook County Land Bank exists to solve in Inglewood and all across Cook County. We acquire vacant and abandoned tax delinquent properties across Cook County and we clear title. We get those properties into the hands of people who will actually invest in them. What makes the Chicago Rebuild program work so well is that it's no single partner doing this alone.

[19:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1157) The land bank can deliver the property with clean title. But we need dedicated developers like Alex Satello, his family, his wife, his son, his sister, his granddaughter, who completed more than a dozen projects of land bank properties from rehabs to beautiful new construction can create a vision for the land and bring it to life. CCLF empowers developers with the capital that traditional lenders too

[19:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1189) often won't invest into these blocks. Then Ida and the city close the gap between what rehab costs and what a family can actually afford to pay. Because we all understand that homeownership is the lifeblood of strong communities. All of these partners working together. This is how we unlock the incredible value that lives throughout our city and county. Most of all, I'd like to congratulate our new homeowner.

[20:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1222) These homes aren't just a place to live. They are assets with equity that will grow and can someday be passed down. This is how neighborhoods get stronger, one property at a time. Thank you and congratulations. Thank you to you, Darlene and Jessica, for continuing to collaborate and work together and help be a part of this ecosystem. Next up, please help me in bringing to the podium Alex Sotelo, the developer of both of these wonderful projects here.

[21:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1260) I know you didn't want to talk, but you've got to talk. Hi, thank you all for coming. I'm Alex. I didn't have a speech prepared, so I don't know what to say or how much to say, but except thank you. Thank you for everything. Mr. Johnson, the CCLF, Cook County Land Bank, everybody involved in giving us the opportunity to be here, to be able to build this for Bria, for families in the area, and that we can make a change here in the community, right, to be able to use quality products, not only in construction,

[21:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1294) but with people that work here. So thank you to my family, my wife, my sister, my beautiful daughter, my kids, my whole A&M team, my friends, everybody that's involved in here. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having me. Thank you for trusting us. Bria, family, your mom, right, you're great. More than anything, thank you. Thank you for everybody. Okay? We will be moving to cut the ribbon shortly, but I want to just say a few last words.

[22:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1325) As we continue to celebrate, I wish you all love and peace and blessings. As you continue to respect, until you continue down your respective paths, if there's anything that the Chicago Community Loan Fund can do for you, please go to our website at cclfchicago.org. We need all of your help to help us continue to maintain and create communities where people thrive. Thank you. I also want to send a couple of shouts out to Mr. Sean Harden and Nicole Wheatley for helping pull this system of things together.

[22:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1362) And forgive me because there are so many people that participate in Rebuild. I got to tell you, there's so many names that we probably could go hours just talking about just the creation of this program. We thank you, and we need everybody's support. Take care. Thank you.

[23:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1414) Yeah, hold it. Felicidades gracias

[24:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1471) So we're going to have to ask folks to get out of here so that the media can get their shots. We want to get the homeowner. We want to get the homeowner. We want to get the homeowner. Yeah, that's what we do. What do you hold on each side of the mayor? Right.

[25:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1523) All right, great big smiles. looking just in the center big smiles looking in the center hold it let's cut on three one two three

[26:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1567) The first most important place in the Old Marse no other is just... This one's not a big one. The last disc was still in the first place. The one number was about the most important place in the Old Marsella area. Just a little bit. The first place you were not allowed in the Old Marsella area. The one number was number two.

[26:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08?t=1599) Because the email, like, we see the rods on the hermit, but not on the horn.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/V68-kUHuu08 · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt