Pilsen Housing Cooperative
about / ¿quiénes somos?
More than 50 people live in the Pilsen Housing Cooperative’s three buildings, from age 0 to 82. PIHCO is democratically governed and managed by our resident-owners. They elect PIHCO's Board of Directors.
En los tres edificios de la cooperativa PIHCO viven más de 50 personas, de todas las edades. PIHCO está gobernada y administrada democráticamente por nuestros socios, quienes eigen a la Junta Directiva de PIHCO.
PIHCO Elected Board of Directors
Liliana Bolaños, Treasurer
Bio under construction! Check back soon!
Hector Duarte
Artist Hector Duarte is a co-founder of PIHCO and helped paint the co-op mural "Fight to Stay" on PIHCO's first building. Hector was drawn to Pilsen in 1978 by the murals being painted here. In 1985 he moved to the neighborhood to contribute to that tradition; his murals reflect Mexican culture and deal with issues like identity and borders. He's raised three children in Pilsen and Michoacan, Mexico.
"Los mexicanos en Pilsen hemos creado un ambiente que refleja la vida de un pueblito con sabor mexicano. Debemos defenderlo, quedándonos aquí."
Karen Leon, Co-President
Bio under construction! Check back soon!
Izayo Mazehualli, Secretary
Bio under construction! Check back soon!
Steven J. Miller, Co-President
Bio under construction! Check back soon!
Laura Nussbaum-Barberena
Laura's life has been split between Chicago, Central America, and Seattle. A cultural anthropologist, she is interested in using story-telling and community histories to support cooperative development. She is married to artist Carlos Barberena; the two moved from Nicaragua in 2008. Since then, they have developed deep ties to people in Pilsen.
“PIHCO to us is a continuation of the community organizing that characterizes Pilsen and so many Chicago neighborhoods.”
Gabriel Villa
Artist Gabriel Villa has lived in the neighborhood since 1997. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Gabriel immediately connected with the artists and families in no-frills Pilsen. He’s worked as director of Yollocalli Arts Reach and has taught, exhibited, and created art projects across Chicago and beyond, with Pilsen as his base.
“The co-op is just a natural progression for me. I want to do something to give back and put my money where my mouth is, and assist in people being able to stay here.”
We have received significant help and support from our neighbors...
...and we are grateful for critical early and/or ongoing assistance from:
Marta Ayala, Advisor on Community
Charles Daas, Cooperative Housing Advisor
Mark Fick, Shared Capital Cooperative, Cooperative Housing Advisor
Landon Bone Baker Architects
Logan Square Cooperative (especially Mark Smithivas), Cooperative Housing Advisors
Linda Lutton, Research
John McDermott, Advisor on Housing and Tax Policy
Thanks to the Crossroads Fund for a $3,000 Technical Assistance Grant, which will help us build a strong foundation for PIHCO.
Thanks to the University of Chicago Law School's Housing Initiative Clinic at the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic for pro-bono legal services.
