From Vacant to Vibrant: Englewood Families Move Into Beautifully Rebuilt Homes on Green Street

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood · August 15, 2026

West Englewood and the broader Englewood community got a heartwarming milestone this past week when local leaders — including Mayor Brandon Johnson — gathered on August 7 at 5638 S. Green Street to celebrate the rehabilitation of two formerly vacant homes under the City of Chicago's Rebuild program. The ribbon-cutting marked a tangible, brick-and-mortar sign of what's possible when city investment meets community determination.

One of the new homeowners, Abria Williams, had a front-row seat to the transformation. When she first visited the Green Street building, it was stripped down to the studs. Today, it's her home — complete with a second-floor unit featuring an ensuite bathroom she can't wait to decorate. Williams plans to rent the first-floor unit, creating both a home and a source of income in one move. City Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda framed the moment plainly: vacant and abandoned buildings are reminders of historic disinvestment, but the Rebuild program is working to reverse that story. The Green Street properties are among more than 70 homes rehabbed and sold through the initiative across Chicago's South and West Sides.

This is what community revival looks like, one block at a time. If you're a prospective homebuyer interested in the city's housing programs, explore options at chicago.gov/housing — and stay plugged into everything happening across Englewood at ragenglewood.org. Also mark your calendar: R.A.G.E. hosts a Members' Only Meeting on August 18 at 5:30 PM — a great way to get involved in shaping the neighborhood's future.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/10/2-renovated-englewood-properties-welcome-homeowners-under-citys-rebuild-program/
2. https://ragenglewood.org/