As the affordable housing crisis grows across the United States – 48 percent of all moderate-income and 83 percent of low-income households pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing – a group of Chicago-area real estate professionals is responding by helping build affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families on the city’s South Side. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, volunteers from Related Realty, Giveback Homes and DocuSign recently worked on the construction of a new home at 11939 S. Union Ave. in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood, part of an initiative to build 34 homes in the area by 2018.

Gary Richter, a broker at Related Realty, was the first to sign up when Giveback Homes, a community of philanthropic real estate professionals dedicated to giving back in their communities and around the world, launched in Chicago earlier this year. Like other member agents, Richter donates a portion of his commissions – in his clients’ names, in lieu of the typical closing gift – to sponsor building projects and participate in the buildout of the homes he’s helped fund. Since the group’s launch in 2013, members have participated in 12 U.S. Build Days and funded over 60 complete homes in Haiti, Nicaragua and Bolivia.

“When I learned that Giveback Homes was coming to Chicago, I was excited to join the effort, with an initial goal of raising enough money to build just one home,” said Richter. “Not only did my Related Realty colleagues help me exceed that goal – we raised more than $3,000 in individual donations and company-matching funds – but we also have more than $1,000 lined up for the next Chicago home build in spring 2017. It always feels good to give back, and as real estate professionals, what better way than to provide homes to the families who need them most?”

In addition to the West Pullman project, Richter has contributed to builds in Haiti and Nicaragua, where he will be traveling in November to participate in the construction of another new home. He also plans to assist with subsequent builds in Chicago.

“While the build was a long day of hard work alongside my colleagues and the new homeowners, it was great to see the fruits of our labor,” said Richter. “It’s my hope that our work inspires more real estate professionals in Chicago and across the country to join in the effort to create high-quality, affordable houses that families can call home.” 

About Related Realty
Related Realty, the residential brokerage division of Related Midwest, is an affiliate of The Related Companies, the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States. A full-service brokerage that is home to Chicago’s top-producing agents, Related Realty strives to uphold Related’s reputation for excellence, building on the company’s 40-year history as a global lifestyle firm defined by innovation in all aspects of design, development, service and wellness. The expertise of Related Realty’s agents, along with the firm’s industry-leading standards and deep knowledge of the Chicago market, allow Related Realty to deliver unparalleled service throughout all stages of the transaction, ensuring the highest level of client satisfaction.

The West Pullman home is the first of 34 new affordable residences planned in Chicago by 2018.

Related Realty joined Giveback Homes, Habitat for Humanity and DocuSign to build a new home at 11939 S. Union Ave. in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood.

Related Realty brokers and staff participated in the construction of a new affordable home in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood in conjunction with Giveback Homes, Habitat for Humanity and DocuSign. Front (from left): Maria Thanasouras, Alyse Polansky and Leticia Andrade. Back (from left): Patrick Ryan, Jessica McLean, Abbie Allardt, Mack Alsaidi, Jennifer Niemiec and Gary Richter.