2026 Kreisman Initiative Housing Challenge Symposium

Welcome to the second annual hosted by the Kreisman Initiative for Housing Law and Policy. This year’s theme asks:

How can physical and cultural heritage be preserved in ways that advance housing equity goals? How can we protect historic resources while at the same time protect the people and communities who live within them, ensuring that preservation does not fuel unwanted gentrification or displacement?

The 2026 symposium also marks the culmination of the second annual , where student teams from across the university will propose a historic district in the city of Chicago that connects heritage protection to housing equity outcomes. Following presentations, the winning team will be announced live at the symposium and will take home a $5000 prize.

Jury panel members include:

• , Director of Housing, Impact for Equity
• , Executive Director, Illinois Housing Development Authority
• , Founder of Common Ground Solutions
• , (Ex-Officio), Professor of Urbanism at the University of Chicago

The symposium will include a keynote address by , President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, in discussion with , Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Council.

We hope this event fosters bold conversations, collaboration, and momentum toward real change in housing policy and development.

Please see the full event agenda .

Parking/ Transportation:

• Street parking on 60th & 61st Street, near the Keller Center, and along the Midway Plaisance. Please be mindful of the street signs as some areas require parking permits.

• Lot 15 is a free Community Lot (southern corner of 60th and Stoney Island) and is approximately 3 blocks east of the Keller Center.

• Parking is available after 4:00pm in the behind the Keller Center, access the parking lot via Kenwood Avenue.

For additional information refer to the University of Chicago's page.

*Note that if registration is full, please complete the waitlist form as we expect to allow all registrants to be able to attend.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Kreisman Initiative on Housing Law and Policy