Raise the Roof: CHA's Monthly Newsletter Vol 7

CHA NEWSLETTER | JULY 2023 | VOLUME 7

LEVELUP CELEBRATES 119 GRADUATES WHO EARNED MORE THAN $700,000 BY MEETING THEIR LIFE AND FINANCIAL GOALS

CHA residents who participated in the newly-minted "LevelUp” wealth-building program received their certificates of completion at a ceremony held at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center on Saturday, July 22.

LevelUp (formerly the Family Self-Sufficiency program) provides financial incentives and individualized coaching to help participants reach their educational, professional and personal goals. When a participant reaches their goals, CHA deposits their earnings into a LevelUp savings account that allows them to build financial assets. The savings are paid out within 60 days of program completion.

The total payout among the 119 graduates this year was more than $700,000. Six of the graduates became homeowners, six completely transitioned off of housing subsidy, six obtained a master's degree, two received their bachelor's degrees and seven got an associate degree.

“You have to want better for yourself and your family,” said graduate Cassandra Bernard in her keynote speech. “You have to surround yourself with people that force you to LevelUp. I didn’t realize that the LevelUp program was preparing me for the next chapter in my life. Who would’ve known that a few small goals would have made my life change for the better?”

Learn more about LevelUp here.

CHA AND PARTNERS BREAK GROUND ON WESTHAVEN PHASE 2D

CHA leaders joined residents, elected officials and partners this month to celebrate the groundbreaking of Westhaven Phase 2D.

This is the last phase of the massive 20+ year redevelopment of the neighborhood where Henry Horner Homes once stood. To date, more than 640 new apartments have been added to the community and this newest phase will add another 96 apartments, including 38 for residents from CHA’s waitlist and 25 affordable apartments.

Click the image below to watch to a video from the groundbreaking:

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT: CHA SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS LEAD LLOYD MATHENY TO SUCCESS

When Lloyd Matheny was six days old, he was introduced to his foster mom, who later adopted him after caring for him for a year. He grew up in an attentive, loving family on Chicago’s South Side – overcoming a congenital foot ailment. Today, he is a junior at National Louis University studying social work, with an innate passion for poetry and helping others.

“Once I started interacting with kids, I could see the gift I had,” he said. “I was able to easily interact, be engaged and be helpful and kind. At that time, I wanted to be LeBron James or Michael Jordan. Then I realized I get more enjoyment in helping people than by a coach telling me to run 50 laps. I fell in love with it.”

One of the programs that inspired Lloyd was Counselor in Training (CIT), a collaboration between the Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Park District that provides 40 teens a summer opportunity as a counselor. Youth gain life skills and the opportunity to grow, learn and gain skills in leadership and financial capability while also earning money.

CIT is one of several paid summer opportunities residents ages 13-24 that CHA offers every summer, providing early exposure to career and education pathways and opportunities that stem potential summer learning loss.

Now 20 years old, Lloyd is sure what he wants to do with the rest of his life - he is targeting a career in social work at a major school district. And, he is still working at the Park District, now as a recreational leader at Maggie Daley Park.

Learn more about CHA's CIT program on CBS-2 News Chicago here.

NEWLY APPROVED CHA PROJECTS WILL ADD 357 RENTAL APARTMENTS AROUND THE CITY

CHA’s Board of Commissioners approved three new housing developments on the West, North and Southwest sides this month, including the first phases at LeClaire (pictured top). Together, these projects will add 357 new rental apartments around the city, including 153 apartments for families from CHA’s waitlists, 134 affordable apartments and 70 market-rate apartments. The other projects are Parkside Phase 5 in the Cabrini area (pictured bottom left) and Ogden Commons Phase A2 in Lawndale (pictured bottom right).

“Creating new affordable housing in Chicago is a cornerstone of my administration and I am pleased that these three key projects are moving forward. A better, stronger, safer Chicago can only be realized when residents in every single Chicago neighborhood have access to affordable housing. I am particularly grateful to Congressman Garcia for his support of the LeClaire redevelopment, which will add 650 new homes for families on the Southwest Side,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Click here to read more about the new developments.

CHA'S NEW PILOT PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT VOUCHER HOLDERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO MOVE FROM TROUBLED UNITS

This month, CHA is launching a pilot program to provide a grant of up to $1,500 per household to Housing Choice Voucher holders who are required to move from troubled apartments. The grants will initially be available to voucher holders who live in apartments owned by Gary Carlson that have been identified as having significant life/safety violations and are subject to housing court proceedings filed by the City of Chicago’s Department of Law.

CHA received approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to begin providing funding for moving assistance effective in 2023. CHA intends to expand the program in 2024 to all voucher holders living in troubled buildings and who are required to move.

CHA expedited the implementation of the new program after discussions with the Fair Tenants Union, which represents a group of tenants from Carlson’s buildings. Fair Tenants Union is comprised of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Autonomous Tenants Union, and the Law Center for Better Housing.

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