CCLF YEAR IN REVIEW: 2025 CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS
As we look back on 2025, the year clearly tested the resilience and resolve of CCLF. The real estate lending environment was marked by persistent headwinds – uncertain and elevated construction costs, reductions in key federal programs, and broader market volatility that challenged projects at every stage. Yet, in the face of these obstacles, CCLF […]
PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
“Board members play very significant roles providing guidance to nonprofits by contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates. Beyond fulfilling legal duties, board members can be important resources for the organization in multiple ways,” National Council of Nonprofits website. A strong Board of […]
AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP
Achieving the “American Dream” of homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many individuals and families. Rising housing costs, elevated interest rates, and an uncertain economic climate have made purchasing a home especially challenging for first-time home buyers. However, an alternative model of homeownership is gaining momentum: the Community Land Trust (CLT). Across the country […]
SACRED APARTMENTS: ANCHORING A COMMUNITY
In the heart of South Chicago, a new development is reshaping the conversation around affordable housing. The SACRED Apartments – short for Sacred Affordable Commercial Real Estate Development –represent a major step forward for a neighborhood long in need of equitable housing solutions. With a median income of just $42,456, significantly below the area median […]
LITTLE ANGELS FAMILY DAYCARE: QUALITY CARE FOR CHILDREN
For working parents with young children who have not yet reached school age, securing reliable childcare is a critical concern. High-quality, affordable options are essential – but often difficult to find. In the Englewood neighborhood, however, parents are thankful to have access to quality childcare in their community. Little Angels Family Daycare (LAFD) is a […]
UNITED YARDS: BRINGING EXPANSION TO BACK OF THE YARDS
The Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side has long reflected the city’s rich immigrant history. Beginning in the late 1800s, Irish and German immigrants settled in the area, drawn by the promise of work in the booming Union Stockyards. By the early 20th century, they were joined by new waves of Czechoslovakian, […]
ASPIRE CENTER FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION RIBBON CUTTING
The Austin community has welcomed a transformative new addition: the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, which officially opened in June 2025. Located at 5500 W. Madison Street, the state-of-the-art facility now stands as a symbol of revitalization and opportunity in the heart of Chicago’s West Side. The Aspire Center occupies the former Emmet Elementary School […]
2025 CCLF ANNUAL MEETING
On Wednesday, May 21, CCLF staff, board members, investors, funders, and partners met at DePaul University’s downtown Chicago campus for CCLF’s Annual Meeting. Erik Hall, CCLF Board Chair, welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the morning’s agenda. He recognized the board members in attendance and gave a special acknowledgment to Matt Reilein, Chair of […]
GREEN ERA: THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The ribbon has officially been cut on a groundbreaking environmental initiative on Chicago’s South Side. This award winning, one-of-a-kind project sets a new standard for food waste management in Chicago, transforming organic waste into nutrient-rich compost and renewable energy through the use of advanced anaerobic digestion technology. The Green Era Renewable Energy and Urban Farming […]
HONORING PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS
In response to the severe housing shortage during the Great Depression, the United States took its first major steps toward public housing reform in the 1930s. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), established in 1934, played a key role in implementing housing initiatives under the New Deal – a broad set of programs and reforms designed […]
