Raise the Roof: CHA's Monthly Newsletter Vol 11

CHA NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 11

THIRTY NEW PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOMES OPEN AT COVENT APARTMENTS THANKS TO CHA INVESTMENT

This month, CHA joined the NHP Foundation, Chicago Department of Housing, Illinois Housing Development Authority and others for the ribbon-cutting at Covent Apartments in Lincoln Park. The project involved rehabilitating the existing Covent Hotel SRO into 30 modern studio units, each equipped with their own kitchen and bathroom.

All 30 of the units in the building are supported by CHA-issued Project-Based Vouchers, an investment that will provide more than $17.3 million in guaranteed rental assistance over the next 30 years. Covent is another example of CHA’s commitment to assisting Chicagoans as they move from homelessness to stable housing through long-term housing affordability with wraparound supportive services.

Built in 1915 as part of a larger mixed-use development that included a vaudeville theater, the Covent Hotel has stood as a testament to Chicago's history. The three-story building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, recognizing its cultural and architectural legacy.

CHA ANNOUNCES RESTORE HOME: A NEW INITIATIVE TO RENOVATE VACANT BUILDINGS

CHA announced the new Restore Home initiative at its Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, November 21. The initiative is part of the agency’s proposed 2024 budget and capital plan, which will be considered at a special board meeting in December.

Under Restore Home, CHA will invest up to $50 million in 2024 to renovate and rehabilitate vacant buildings in the small and medium-sized apartments portfolio (commonly known as the agency’s “scattered sites.”) Approximately three dozen small and medium-sized vacant apartment buildings around the city will be targeted for renovation, with more than 175 units brought back into leasable condition over the next twelve to eighteen months.

“Since the middle of last year, CHA has been assessing vacant properties in our small and medium-sized portfolio. We’ve identified funding and created an approach. The pieces are in place for this major undertaking to begin,” said CHA CEO Tracey Scott. “Over the next twelve to eighteen months, our staff and Section 3 contractors will be laser focused on restoring these apartments and getting families into homes. This is another way we are achieving our mission of preserving and creating housing opportunities that help families unlock their economic power.”

As part of Restore Home, CHA also plans to renovate approximately 40 single-family homes that are part of the scattered sites portfolio and make them available for affordable homeownership opportunities. (CHA will still maintain a portfolio of approximately 145 single-family homes.) Additional information on this aspect of the effort will be announced in 2024.

Read more about Restore Home in the Chicago Sun-Times.

WARMER WINTER

FOR SENIORS

Nearly 1,000 CHA seniors will have a warmer winter coat this year, thanks to a new initiative from CHA's Senior Services division, in partnership with The Reva & David Logan Foundation. Senior residents living in nine senior designated buildings received the new coats as part of a pilot initiative, which was held between November 14 – 20, 2023.

This was an answer to several requests received over the years from seniors wanting to participate in the annual Operation Warm coat giveaway for children. CHA hopes to make the Senior Coat Giveaway an annual event.

CHA CELEBRATES

APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

CHA’s WORC (Workforce Opportunity Resource Center) joined the national Apprentice Week effort this year, hosting five free webinars to help residents connect to unique work-based learning programs that are making a difference in our community. Approximately 200 people attended the events.

Partners included Chicago Pipefitters Local 597, Chicago Women in Trades, the Hispanic America Construction Association, Rail works, and Sprinkler Fitters Local 2812.

NBC-5 ANCHOR'S NEW CHRISTMAS SINGLE SUPPORTS CHA RESIDENTS

Thank you to NBC-5 reporter and weekend anchor Evrod Cassimy for his incredible commitment to helping CHA residents this holiday season. All proceeds from his new single, “Please Come Home for Christmas,” will go directly to Springboard to Success (S2S), Chicago Housing Authority’s non-profit arm that supports programs that propel CHA residents on their pathways to academic success, economic stability, and independence.

Cassimy became introduced to the work of CHA after serving as the emcee for the S2S/Daisy Foundation annual Mother's Day makeover event.

“I hosted a Mother’s Day event for the Chicago Housing Authority earlier this year. I saw firsthand just how many families were struggling to make ends meet and I wanted to do something to help. That’s how this song was born. Just by simply listening to or buying this song you are supporting the CHA and helping provide for families this Christmas,” he said.

The effort is also sponsored by Disparti Law Group. Read about the new song in the Chicago Sun-Times and download the song on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your music!

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