Community Development
JCUA is helping to create thriving neighborhoods across Chicago through our Community Ventures Program (CVP)
The Community Ventures Program (CVP) is JCUA’s revolving loan fund for affordable housing and community development. Through CVP, we provide community-based developers and organizations with zero-interest loans that get projects off the ground and make neighborhoods safe, affordable, and vibrant.
Since its inception in 1991, CVP has provided more than $8 million in zero-interest loans for 65 projects in 29 neighborhoods, leading to the creation or preservation of approximately 5,000 affordable housing units and 1,500 good jobs. Read more in CVP’s 2022 Annual Report.
Chicagoans — especially our Black, Brown, and low-income neighbors — are facing rising levels of displacement, homelessness, and costs of living. As JCUA pursues housing and economic justice through our community organizing, CVP is a powerful tool to co-create neighborhoods where all people can flourish.
Contact JCUA’s Community Development Manager, Rose Shapiro (roseshapiro@jcua.org) to learn more or click here to receive email updates about CVP.
Current Projects
Learn about each of CVP’s active projects for affordable housing and community development.
Contribute to CVP
There are three ways to contribute to CVP: you can lend or make a contribution to the loan fund or make a donation to our Capacity & Operations Fund.
Apply for a Loan
CVP provides seed funding to nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits for the earliest stages of development. Funds can be used for a variety of pre-development costs such as architectural drawings, environmental testing, market studies, application fees, legal fees, and others. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis subject to availability of loan funds.
CVP Advisory Committee
Meet the members of the CVP Advisory Committee, which ensures that CVP projects are impactful, viable, and aligned with JCUA’s mission.
2022 Annual Report
Check out CVP’s 2022 Annual Report, which includes project highlights, financial information, and more!