Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

A faith-based community development organization serving residents of the West Garfield neighborhood of Chicago since 1979, Bethel New Life has invested over $650 million in a range of programs and initiatives aimed to reduce poverty.  Since its establishment, it has created over 1,000 units of affordable housing, facilitated the development of a mixed-use, transit-oriented development project around the “West Garfield” elevated transit stop, and has been a leader in developing a comprehensive asset-based approach to community development. Read more about Bethel New Life...

Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo (GGB) is a non-profit community gardening program working to revitalize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in the city by targeting vacant land for reuse and beautification. Acting as a liaison between the City of Buffalo administration and community gardeners, GGB establishes leases with the city and indemnifies the properties, enabling gardeners to focus on gardening without the added burden of liability. Read more about Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo...

Founded in 1977, Belmont Shelter Corp. has been working to provide individuals, families, seniors, and people with disability-based needs with affordable housing and other housing services. To date, Belmont manages 14 residential properties, including three properties – consisting of 71 apartment and 30 housing units - within the city of Buffalo proper. Read more about Belmont Shelter Corp....

Founded in the 1970s by the Ecumenical Social Action Committee to expand its homeownership counseling and housing rehabilitation work, Urban Edge is a minority-controlled and minority-led nonprofit community development organization aiming to develop and sustain stable, healthy and diverse communities in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and surrounding Boston neighborhoods.  To date, the CDC’s work is credited with developing or preserving nearly 1,500 units of affordable housing.  Valuing “green development,” Urban Edge has created green development standards that it follows to ensure its real estate projects create high-quality living environments, promote healthy lifestyles, and reduce their impact on environmental resources.  In 2016 alone, its homeownership workshops educated 863 people, 167 of whom became first time homeowners.  The CDC also provided tax preparation support to 628 families, returning $1.4 million to the local economy.