Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP)
AHSAP (administered by the Cook County Assessor) freezes the assessed value of qualifying multifamily rental buildings that maintain affordability. Replaces legacy Class 9 for most use cases.
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
See whether a specific Chicago address sits inside the area that unlocks Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP), alongside every other incentive that touches that parcel.
Owners of multifamily rental buildings (typically 7+ units) who commit to affordability set-asides and complete qualifying capital investment. Three tiers (Tier 1/2/3) calibrated to neighborhood market conditions.
Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP) is administered at the county level. Depending on the program, eligibility may depend on the specific location, property type, or business activity rather than a single drawn boundary.
Boundaries are precise and change over time, so exact eligibility always depends on the specific address. The fastest way to know is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind.
Typical range · Assessment freeze, tiered by neighborhood market
- +Assessment reduction tied to affordability commitment
- +Tier 1 / Tier 3 thresholds based on per-square-foot capital expenditure
- +2026 thresholds: $8.16/sf (Tier 1) and $12.75/sf (Tier 3) for compliance + replacement of 2 primary systems
- +Multi-year benefit; renewable with continued compliance
- 1Confirm tier eligibility based on building location and affordability commitment
- 2Submit Part 1 application by September 5 of the assessment year
- 3Submit Part 2 application with capital expenditure documentation
- 4Maintain affordability covenant for duration of benefit
Call (312) 603-7529 or visit cookcountyassessoril.gov/affordable-housing before Sept 5 deadline
- Part 1 + Part 2 application forms
- Affordability covenant / rent restriction agreement
- Capital expenditure documentation meeting per-sf threshold
- Documentation of replacement of 2 primary building systems
- Annual recertification of affordable units
This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.
- Phone
- (312) 603-7529
- Web
- Visit site ↗
Last verified 2026-05-21
Cook County reduces property tax assessments for small commercial projects to encourage new construction, substantial rehabilitation, or reoccupancy of abandoned commercial buildings.
The Catalyst Grant provides up to $100,000 to established small businesses in Cook County for equipment, facilities, and hiring — funded through ARPA dollars.
C-PACE provides up to 100% upfront financing from private capital for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements to commercial buildings, repaid through property tax bills.
Free one-on-one business advising through 13 Business Support Organizations and 30+ referral partners. No cost, no eligibility requirements beyond being in Cook County.