Affordable housing development Betsy Lassar Place breaks ground in Highland Park

Highland Park officials and community members gathered on Oct. 30 to break ground on an eight-unit affordable-housing development at 937 Deerfield Road.

Construction of Betsy Lassar Place is set to complete in the fall of 2026 with residents moving in by late 2026, according to Community Partners for Affordable Housing, developers of the project.

The development is named for Betsy Lassar, a local housing advocate who helped create Illinois’ first Community Land Trust, as well as Highland Park’s housing policies.

“Betsy Lassar is the godmother of stable, fair and equitable housing not only in Highland Park, but in Illinois,” Mayor Nancy Rotering said at the groundbreaking. “With Community Partners for Affordable Housing proven record, we know that eight families will be able to pursue the American dream in our community as homeowners at Betsy Lassar Place.”

Betsy Lassar Place operates through Community Partners for Affordable Housing’s land trust program, which pledges to keep the building “permanently affordable.”

According to CPAH, four of the units will be sold to buyers below 80% of the area media income (maximum of $86,350 for a three-person household) and the other four to buyers below 120% of the area median income (maximum of $129,525 for three-person household).

Each unit is 1,400 square feet and features three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms and comes with a two-car garage. All the units will be electric with their own outdoor spaces, according to CPAH.

Interested parties can apply now by emailing rshakya@cpahousing.org.

CPAH President Rob Anthony shared more praise for Lassar at the ceremony.

“Betsy’s work has changed lives for decades — helping families in Highland Park and neighboring communities access safe, affordable homes,” he said. “Her work and the policies she helped put in place will continue to make a difference for future generations—a true reflection of her lasting impact. She is not only an incredible person but also a cherished member of the CPAH family. We are honored to name this development for her.”

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