Lathrop Community Partners, the joint venture of Related Midwest, Bickerdike Redevelopment and Heartland Housing that is redeveloping Chicago Housing Authority's historic Lathrop Homes public housing projects, launched a lottery for affordable housing units on the 34-acre campus.

The project has been years in the making and the source of debate centered around how much affordable housing should be included in the project. The JV intended to set aside 400 of Lathrop's planned 1,116 units for affordable housing. Alderman Joe Moreno threatened to block the redevelopment unless more affordable housing was set aside or new affordable housing was built on the North Side to replace what was lost. CHA and affordable housing groups eventually reached an agreement for 525 affordable housing units at Lathrop, and another 105 public housing units elsewhere on the Northwest Side.

Of Lathrop's total units, 400 will be leased to public housing residents already on CHA's waiting list, and another 222 will be offered to working families who qualify under the Illinois Housing Development Authority Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. Lathrop's first phase will include 91 affordable units, part of a comprehensive renovation of 16 historic buildings and Lathrop’s open space and property north of Diversey Parkway. A total of 414 residential apartments will be fully remodeled with identical features and finishes, regardless of income level.

Lottery candidates can register at the Lathrop website or visit the lottery office at 2143 West Wellington Ave.