Habitat for Humanity Chicago announces the Pope Leo Village campaign

CHICAGO, IL – Habitat for Humanity Chicago is proud to announce the launch of the Pope Leo Village campaign. This new, multi-city initiative is sponsored and inspired by an anonymous donor committed to Pope Leo’s vision and commitment to serve others. Pope Leo Village is launching first in Chicago, the Pope’s original hometown. It will center on the construction of Habitat Chicago’s 20-unit townhome development in the West Pullman neighborhood. The goal of the Pope Leo Village is to inspire and activate young people—and all our fellow Chicagoans—to volunteer and financially support the work of Habitat for Humanity.

“We are in an incredible moment to have the first U.S.-born pope be from Chicago. In his first homily, Pope Leo XIV talked about this being the “hour of love.” This is what Pope Leo Village is all about. Chicago has an affordable housing crisis, and it is in coming together to build houses that we put love into action and serve others,” said Jennifer Parks, Executive Director of Habitat Chicago.

Habitat Chicago invites Catholic schools and faith communities to join in this building endeavor. Youth, neighbors, homebuyers, and the wider Chicago community will come together to build relationships and create opportunities for affordable homeownership.

This townhome development is part of an ongoing multi-year commitment that Habitat Chicago has to West Pullman. Habitat Chicago has built nearly 50 homes in the neighborhood and funded over $230,000 in small neighborhood grants. This work is anchored in Habitat Chicago’s priorities of strengthening the neighborhood housing market and connecting the community.

All Chicagoans moved by the new, Chicago-born pope are welcomed and encouraged to serve others through the Pope Leo Village campaign—donate, fundraise, and volunteer. The first volunteer build day in West Pullman will take place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, and additional days will be ongoing over the course of the townhome development’s construction. Information on contributing, volunteering, and getting involved can be found here.