# Understanding the Low Affordability Community designation in Chicago According to state law [35 ILCS 200/15–178](https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=003502000K15-178), Chicago City Council can designated any area outside of the Downtown Area and Downtown Expansion Area as a "Low Affordability Community", or LAC. That law establishes the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP). In an LAC, residential property owners become eligible to apply for a reduced assessed value if they comply with the state law's standards for properties in LACs. The LAC standards, in short, require that 20 percent of the dwelling units in the property (the property must have at least seven units) are rented at affordable rates, defined as affordable to a household earning 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). The Chicago Department of Housing updates these rates annually in April. The law then defines how the reduced assessed value is calculated and over what time period (the size of the reduction diminishes over time). Property owners in Cook County must [apply to the Cook County Assessor](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/affordable-housing) to be able to receive the AHSAP incentive. ![[Pasted image 20240717225337.png]] *Map showing the 2000-2294 N Milwaukee Ave "Low Affordability Community", an incentive available to any owner of a property with seven or more dwelling units.* ## List of designated Low Affordability Communities As of October 8, 2024, there are 10 designated LACs. 1. 1321 S Wood St 2. 8535 W Higgins Rd 3. 1868-78 N Milwaukee Ave 4. 2000-2294 N Milwaukee Ave 5. 2031-33 N Kingsbury St 6. 1628 W Division St 7. 2418-30 N Milwaukee Ave 8. 2814-16 N Milwaukee Ave, 3424 W Diversey Ave 9. 2847-61 N Milwaukee Ave 10. 2616-18 N. Milwaukee Avenue 11. 1565 N Clybourn Ave (proposed) 12. 3955 N Kilpatrick Ave, 3865 N Milwaukee Ave (proposed) [View a map of all Low Affordability Communities](https://chicagocityscape.com/maps/index.php#/?places_type=lowaffordabilitycommunity) # How to locate Low Affordability Communities (LAC) ## Determine if a single location is in an LAC 1. Open a Property Report by searching for an address in the search bar. 2. Select "Zoning Assessment" in the table of contents. Locate the heading "Additional districts" and review the list to check if a Low Affordability Community is listed here (see *screenshot 1*). 3. If there are no LACs in the "Additional districts" list, or the "Zoning Assessment" section is not present in the table of contents, select "Surrounding Places" in the table of contents (or scroll to that section). 4. In Surrounding Places, type "low affordability" in the search bar that's above the Surrounding Places data table. This data table will show any Low Affordability Community that's within one mile of the Property Report location.  *Screenshot 1 showing where an LAC will appear under the "Additional districts" heading* ## Finding multiple properties in an LAC Using Property Finder – in either Property Report or in Place Report – it's possible to locate properties in Chicago that are in a Low Affordability Community by following these steps: 1. In a Property Report scroll down to Property Finder; or, in a Place Report make sure Property Finder is open at the top of the page. 2. In the Property Finder filters, locate the list of development incentives. 3. Find the checkbox next to "Low Affordability Community" and check it. 4. Select the "Apply filters" button. After a moment the data table and map will refresh to show properties in a Low Affordability Community. # How to apply for the AHSAP Please refer to the Cook County Assessor's Office (CCAO). - Review the [materials on the Cook County Assessor's Office website](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/affordable-housing) - Read a [presentation given by CCAO staff on March 24, 2022](https://www.preservationcompact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CIC-Slides-SAP-CIC-Program-Overview.pdf) - Consult a property tax attorney - The CCAO has a [map and list](https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/affordable-housing-data-map) of all properties that have received a reduced assessed value due to AHSAP. # Related articles - [[Incentives Checker]] - [[Property Finder in a Place Report]] - Blog post: [Apply for this new property tax incentive](https://blog.chicagocityscape.com/deadline-to-apply-for-new-property-tax-incentive-is-march-31-5420c435427)