West Englewood Gets 30 New Chances to Build: City Opens Vacant Lots for 'Missing Middle' Housing

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood · June 20, 2026

West Englewood neighbors looking to put down roots — or build them — just got a powerful new tool. This spring, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago's Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced that more than 600 vacant city-owned lots across Chicago are now available for private purchase, with 30 parcels specifically designated for West Englewood and South Chicago to support so-called 'Missing Middle' housing development. That means duplexes, courtyard buildings, townhomes, and other mid-scale residential options that fit the fabric of the neighborhood — not just single-family homes or large apartment towers.

'Missing Middle' housing has become one of the most talked-about solutions to Chicago's affordability crunch, and West Englewood's 30 newly available parcels represent a direct invitation for residents, developers, and community builders to invest in the neighborhood's future — on their own terms. DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright put it plainly: 'These parcels offer unique opportunities for buyers to take ownership of their neighborhoods and contribute to local development goals.'

For West Englewood, where vacant lots have long dotted the landscape as reminders of decades of disinvestment, the chance to convert those empty spaces into homes for neighbors is a meaningful step forward. If you're a resident, developer, or community organization interested in claiming a parcel, visit chicago.gov/DPD to explore available lots and learn more about the purchasing process. West Englewood's next chapter is literally up for grabs — and the city is handing neighbors the keys.

Sources:
1. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/ec_dev/news/2026/march/mayor-johnson--ddpd-announce-spring-purchase-opportunities-for-v.html