Lawndale Christian Health Center Teaching Center

In March 2024, CDF provided $11 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the construction of an approximately 35,000-square-foot health center at 3806 West Ogden Avenue in North Lawndale for Lawndale Christian Health Center (LCHC), a minority-controlled Federally Qualified Health Center seeking to address the lack of affordable, quality comprehensive health care services on Chicago’s West Side. The project, which expands LCHC’s existing Ogden Medical Corridor, will house three distinct clinics, including an optometry clinic with 12 exam rooms; a senior clinic featuring 14 exam rooms, a phlebotomy suite, a wellness library, and other support areas; and a new residency clinic with 18 exam rooms and ample teaching space to train medical staff.

The project greatly expands LCHC’s capacity to deliver health care services that are critically needed in the medically underserved communities on Chicago’s West Side. At full operation, the project will provide primary care, optometry, and senior health services to 10,000 unique patients annually via its three co-located clinics. Notably, the project relocates LCHC’s Senior Clinic one block closer to its Senior Center and expands the clinic to meet the increased demand for high-quality, specialized senior care. In addition to increasing access to care, the new residency clinic will support 18 Family Medicine resident physicians, creating a pipeline of diverse medical professionals to serve communities like North Lawndale that face physician and medical support staff shortages. The project is expected to employ 90 permanent full-time equivalent positions, 99% of which will receive a living wage and/or benefits.

IFF provided the project with $6 million in NMTC allocation. JP Morgan Chase provided NMTC equity and an additional $2 million in NMTC allocation.