Chicago’s Large Lots program sells vacant properties for $1

Chicago’s Large Lots program sells vacant properties for $1
Chicago’s Large Lots program sells vacant properties for $1

Chicago’s Large Lots program sells vacant properties for $1

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Can you imagine buying Chicago real estate for a dollar? Well, the city is making that happen through its Large Lots program by selling vacant properties for a buck. The Large Lots program was created to make it easier for people to purchase city-owned land and give local residents control over the vacant properties in their neighborhoods. The pilot program launched by selling land in Englewood and was then introduced to Garfield Park and Austin. Starting today through the end of October, vacant properties in Roseland and Pullman will be available for purchase. Here to talk about why the program was created and how it works is Susana Vasquez, executive director of the Chicago chapter the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. One dollar sounds like a great deal for a property, but what happens after the purchase is made? Many property-owners have little information about the next steps. That’s where Katherine Darnstadt comes in. She’s an architect and the founder of Latent Design. She set up workshops in Englewood and Garfield park to help the new property owners once they have the land and joins us to talk about the resources she provides. (Flickr/Peter Van den Bossche)