Find assistance on homeownership, how to start a co-op and fight for affordable housing in 2022
By Frederique Desrosiers, Jerrel Floyd, Charlene Rhinehart and Erica Scalise
Bronzeville’s first equitable development near public transportation, known as 43 Green, is set to be completed next year and include 51 affordable units. (Photo: Max Herman/City Bureau)
Bronzeville residents have been promised dozens of affordable housing units at the 10-story building that’s being built on 43rd Street, adjacent to the Green Line stop. Earlier this summer, City Bureau fellows explored whether that new development, known as 43 Green, could revitalize Bronzeville without displacing residents. The units won’t be ready until next year, but the developers said they will have information on how to apply for them on their website.
Read: Can a New Housing Development Revitalize Bronzeville Without Displacing Residents?
In the meantime, we compiled a list of additional housing resources for Bronzeville residents.
Assistance with purchasing a home
The homebuying process can be daunting, especially if a person is navigating it alone. Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), a nonprofit that advocates for affordable homeownership, has worked to reduce predatory lending practices that have made it harder for low-and-moderate income individuals to buy homes at affordable terms. One way they help is through education. NACA’s workshops walk potential homebuyers through the homebuying process — from understanding mortgage terms and options to budgeting after buying a home.
To get started, those interested must register for a free introductory workshop at naca.com to learn how the program works and to ask questions to determine if a NACA mortgage is a good fit.
Participants interviewed by City Bureau said the process took around 6-12 months. Geri Johnson, 60, bought her first home in Fuller Park with a NACA mortgage after unsuccessfully trying to secure a loan from a traditional bank.
"I went to the workshop, listened to testimonials and took a chance,” she said. “They made sure I had money saved."
Join the fight for affordable housing
The Lugenia Burns Hope Center on 47th Street in Bronzeville is working to end the ban on rent control in Illinois through the Lift the Ban Coalition. The center’s executive director, Roderick Wilson, said that the coalition isn’t about preventing rents from being raised in general.
“It needs to be regulated; it needs to be fair and just,” Wilson said.
The center is also working to bring renters and homeowners together to create affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income residents. As part of the Chicago Housing Initiative, the organization is pushing for an ordinance that would create new standards for affordable housing waitlists that would prioritize households facing chronic homelessness. The ordinance would also establish a universal system to help residents sign up for affordable housing. The Chicago Housing Initiative is also pushing for a separate ordinance that would force real estate owners to repair and fill vacant units.
To get involved, join the Chicago Housing Initiative’s campaign mailing list on its website and check the box that most fits your needs. For questions, call (630) 387-9387. To contact the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, call (773) 966-4674 or send a message through their website.
Start a housing co-op
Housing cooperatives have existed in Chicago for decades but few residents may know they exist, what they are, or how to get one started. In a co-op, members often split ownership of a multi-unit building and buy a share that gives them the right to occupy a unit.
David Feinberg, the director of coaching and knowledge transfer at the Chicago Community Loan Fund, said co-ops have historically been seen as an opportunity to preserve affordable housing and to build a pathway to homeownership.
The fund, which provides support and financing for co-ops, is part of the Center for Shared Ownership, which aims to give people information on existing cooperatives and resources for starting one, like setting up management plans and budgeting templates. The center can also connect residents who are looking to start their own co-op to existing ones.
“For someone who's interested,” Feinberg said, “the Center for Shared Ownership is a great stopping point. We have an info and intake survey that helps us assess what your interests are and how we could be of best service.”
For more information, email the Center for Shared Ownership at info.cso@chicagorehab.org and the Chicago Community Loan Fund at info@cclfchicago.org or call (312) 252–0440.
Resources for more immediate housing needs
The Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing — A non-profit law firm in Chicago with a focus on low-and-moderate income renters. Some of the services include pre-eviction assistance with illegal utility shut-offs and free legal representation in eviction cases for vulnerable renters, such as people living with a disability, seniors and single mothers. Lcbh.org (312) 347-7600
Homelessness Prevention Call Center — The city runs this center. Residents are advised to call 311 and request “Short-Term Help.” From there, they should be connected to the call center, where they can get information on various city programs.
StreetLight Chicago — A project run by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and Young Invincibles. The website posts locations of emergency beds, health clinics, drop-in centers and daytime shelters such as Matthew House Chicago. streetlightchicago.org
Frederique Desrosiers, Charlene Rhinehart and Erica Scalise are 2022 Summer Civic Reporting Fellows. Jerrel Floyd is City Bureau’s engagement reporter covering development and segregation in Chicago. You can reach him with tips at Jerrel@citybureau.org.
This story is available to republish under a Creative Commons license. Read City Bureau’s guidelines here.
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