Elias grew up in Humboldt Park during a time of severe disinvestment, where his family, including his teen parents, lived in one of the neighborhood's deteriorating buildings before it eventually became abandoned, then resurrected into affordable housing. He was raised by his grandmother, who played a major role in his upbringing, instilling in him the values of community and activism. The housing struggles in his community were a constant reminder of the challenges families like his faced. The unrest that arose in response to these poor living conditions was pivotal in the history of Humboldt Park. Inspired by both his grandmother and mother, who were community activists, Elias was driven to engage in local politics and advocate for change and progress.
The Teresita Roldán Scholarship, awarded by the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC), holds special significance for Elias because he saw firsthand how HHDC's work transformed the lives of families in his community.
During his 30-year career as a public health worker with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Elias experienced the deep connections between housing and health. Many of the patients he worked with as a contact investigator lived in overcrowded, unsafe conditions, which severely impacted their well-being. These challenges, combined with his own experiences growing up in Humboldt Park, reinforced his desire to address housing inequality through real estate. Elias recognized that improving access to affordable housing was essential to building healthier, more resilient communities.
For the past 25 years, Elias has channeled this passion into his work with Harmony Point Development. As the founder and leader of the company, he has focused on providing high-quality, affordable housing units in some of Chicago's most rapidly gentrifying areas. Neighborhoods like Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and Avondale have seen rising rents, and Harmony Point has worked to ensure that long-term residents are not displaced. Elias believes that real estate should not only create financial returns but also provide homes where families can thrive.
Elias has played a major role in developing key affordable housing projects. Through Harmony Point’s brokerage division, Elias negotiated the acquisition and worked closely with community stakeholders on the development of the John Pennycuff Apartments, which added 88 affordable units to Logan Square, and the Aurea Martinez Apartments, which contributed 99 units to Belmont Cragin. In both projects, Elias was instrumental in coordinating with community organizations, developers, and city officials to ensure that these developments met the needs of low-income residents. His work as part of these teams highlights his ability to collaborate and deliver impactful housing solutions while preserving the integrity of the neighborhoods they serve.
Elias' dedication to affordable housing has been recognized by both the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Next Generation Program and the City of Chicago’s Department of Housing ReBuild Program. These honors, awarded based on Harmony Point’s proven success in developing quality housing, mark Elias as an emerging leader in the affordable housing sector. Through Harmony Point, Elias continues to push for equitable housing solutions, fulfilling a vision that started with the support and inspiration of the Roldán Scholarship and his community-driven roots.
