Raise the Roof: CHA's May Newsletter

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

CHA YOUTH RESIDENT FILMMAKERS HEAD TO CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Three young filmmakers from Chicago traveled to France last week to attend the Cannes Film Festival. Isis Gullette, Unique Moore and Christal Westmoreland met during the Become a Filmmaker program, a six-week summer intensive in DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts, tailored for CHA residents.

The trip was sponsored by Elevated Films Chicago’s crowdfunding and a generous donation from CHA’s nonprofit partner, Springboard to Success (S2S). Chaz Ebert, President and CEO of Ebert Digital and the film criticism website Rogerebert.com, lived in CHA housing as a girl and has been a longtime supporter of Become a Filmmaker. She sparked the idea to send students to film festivals and is co-sponsoring the trip.

CHA CEO Tracey Scott said when people think about CHA, they often focus on the housing. But the impact CHA has on youth and adults is one of continuous learning and growing. Filmmaking is just one of the many educational opportunities CHA offers to its residents and participants.

“On behalf of the staff and Board of Commissioners, I am proud to extend a hearty congratulations to Isis, Unique and Christal, and a big thank you to Chaz Ebert and our nonprofit partner Springboard to Success, for allowing these young filmmakers to participate in such an incredible event,” she said. "It’s just another example of how CHA isn’t just about housing – it’s about people.”

Watch NBC 5’s story about the trip here.

CHA SUCCESSFULLY LEASES 100% OF EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS

EHV Update: As of May 2023, 1,170 families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness have now stable and secure housing through Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) issued to CHA last year by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CHA has now leased 100% of its vouchers.

The American Rescue Plan Act, which passed in March 2021 as part of the federal COVID-19 stimulus package, provided $5 billion in funding for EHVs for Public Housing Authorities throughout the country. In addition to individuals and families who were homeless or at-risk of homelessness, EHVs also support victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.

CHA worked with the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC) and other city agencies and non-profit organizations to ensure the EHVs were leased in conjunction with appropriate services. The CoC is a membership organization made up of agencies and people who work to prevent and end homelessness in Chicago.

“This was a tremendous effort not only by CHA, but also the other assisting agencies like Continuum of Care, to make sure these Emergency Housing Vouchers were being leased as quickly and efficiently as possible to eligible participants,” said CHA’s Chief Housing Choice Voucher Officer Cheryl Burns.

“We wake up with the goal of helping families, and this is very satisfying to close out the program and see families happy and housed.”

Watch CBS-2's Story about EHV recipient Joe Ann Williams here.

2023 CHA OWNER’S SYMPOSIUM RECAP

About 500 property owners and other industry professionals representing thousands of rental units throughout the city attended the 14th annual Chicago Housing Authority Owner Symposium this month at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Hundreds more watched online via Webex Events.

The Owner Symposium is an education and networking event designed to equip property owners, managers, realtors, brokers, investors and other residential rental housing professionals with the timely tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their communities and grow their business.

“Why is this important? Because stable housing is the backbone of healthy communities,” said CHA CEO Tracey Scott. “When housing is affordable, families can exercise choices about where they live, where they send their children to school, their health and their employment. It is one step – the most crucial step – in helping low-income families unlock their economic power. And this is good for our entire city.”

CHA’S WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS HIRING EVENT

Nearly 300 CHA residents and over 20 employers participated in a Hiring Fair hosted by CHA’s Workforce Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership earlier this month. Companies represented at the event included Canon USA, Aramark, Rush University Medical Center, PACE Suburban Bus, OMNI Hotels and Bench Connect. Employers met with job seekers and conducted over 75 onsite interviews.