What is CCHV? CCHV is a consortium of churches and synogogues advocating the preservation and expansion of affordable housing in central Chicago and the surrounding area.

What have you done? CCHV's SRO development,The Studios, at 18th and Wabash was completed in the fall of 1997. The Studios had the distinction of being the first newly-constructed SRO in the downtown area in 50 years and the first in the South Loop to offer comprehensive supportive services.

Why is affordable housing such an issue? In Cook County, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $958 per month. To stay within the recognized "affordability" guidelines of paying no more than 30 percent of income on housing, a renter must either earn $18.42 an hour or work 89 hours per week at a minimum-wage job. For more facts, visit the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless or the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

What are you doing now? Most of our energy now is going into supporting The Studios both with volunteers and financial gifts. We recently established food pantry services for the residents and an emergency rent-assistance fund. Tell me more about the CCHV Rent Assistance Fund.

Is my congregation involved? Please check the list of congregations and board members. If your congregation is listed please get to know the CCHV Board rep from your congregation. If a board member is not listed please email us to volunteer.

If not, how can we join? Speak to your clergy person first and then contact CCHV.

Tell me about The Studios. The Studios, a six-story, 170-unit, 63,000 square foot building, provides superb common area spaces to accommodate supportive services and amenities for maintaining a healthy residential community, as well as a pleasant outdoor courtyard for recreation and rest. Individual units are fully furnished and include full cooking facilities, bathroom and generous storage.

Who lives there?  Rents are affordable to a mix of single adults - formerly homeless, low-income wage earners, students on financial assistance and elderly.