Governor Quinn Opens Community-Based Student Housing Development in Pilsen

State Provided More Than $8.4 Million to Help Build La Casa Student Housing and Resource Center

CHICAGO, IL – October 12, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Pat Quinn joined representatives of The Resurrection Project and local legislators today to announce the opening of the La Casa Student Housing development, an innovative community-based residence hall for area college students. Located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, the six-story residence hall will provide local students with the benefits of on-campus housing, including live-in resident advisors for ongoing academic support. The development project created 95 construction jobs and includes a resource center featuring an onsite computer lab and academic advisors to provide career guidance and access to financial resources.

“Higher education is the key to improving our economy and preparing our students for the workforce of tomorrow,” Governor Quinn said. “This new student housing development will provide more resources to students to help them as they pursue their degrees.”

Building on Governor Quinn’s efforts to increase access to higher education, the state provided more than $8.4 million of the $12.2 million total project cost to build the La Casa Student Housing development and resource center. The state grant funds were used for the purchase of land and costs associated with the design and construction of both the residence hall, which will house 100 students and five resident aides, and the resource center.

“La Casa is the world’s first community-based college dormitory designed to increase our young people’s likelihood of college success,” said Raul Raymundo, CEO of The Resurrection Project, which facilitated the project. “It was created for the commuting college student who is living at home in a two-bedroom apartment with no place to study other than the bathroom at two in the morning. It was created because we want all children in our community to know that a bachelor’s degree is not an option, but a requirement.”

With public transportation and major highways located nearby, La Casa will provide students with easy access to the Chicagoland area’s major universities and colleges. The residence hall features study rooms and quiet rooms for reading, writing and homework. The building’s first floor will house a fitness center, laundry facilities, and a retail shop. The top five floors of this environmentally-friendly building feature student housing with kitchens.

Since 1990, The Resurrection Project has revitalized predominantly low-income Latino communities on Chicago’s Southwest side through a variety of community development strategies. The organization has served more than 10,000 individuals, created more than 600 affordable homes, and developed more than 150,000 square feet of community space to meet a variety of needs. The Resurrection Project serves families—especially Latinos—from all over the metropolitan Chicago region with a particular focus on the communities of Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards and Melrose Park.