Chicago Housing Program Hit 1,000 Homeowners Milestone
The citys Choose to Own program has officially helped 1,000 families transition into private homeownership.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Residential
Derenda Bradley has become the 1,000th participant to complete the Chicago Housing Authority Choose to Own program. Following this milestone, she purchased a home in the Roseland neighborhood and received a set of new kitchen appliances from the housing agency.
Why it matters
The program helps residents transition from housing assistance to homeownership to address the generational wealth gap in communities of color. It provides a structured path to property ownership for those currently receiving housing aid.
Since the Choose to Own program began in 2002, a total of 1,000 residents have successfully completed the path to homeownership. This milestone was formally marked by the participation of Derenda Bradley, who purchased her home in Roseland.
The players
Derenda Bradley
The 1,000th resident to complete the Chicago Housing Authority program who purchased a home in Roseland.
Chicago Housing Authority
The municipal agency that manages public housing and administered the Choose to Own homeownership program.
The details
Participants complete the Choose to Own program to transition from housing assistance to individual homeownership. The initiative is designed to build equity and address the generational wealth gap in communities of color. Successful graduates are provided with support during their transition, as evidenced by the appliances granted to the program's 1,000th participant.
Timeline
The Choose to Own program began operations in 2002.
The 1,000th program participant was celebrated in September 2026.
The Home Front
The Choose to Own program represents a targeted local policy effort to foster wealth building through residential property ownership. This milestone underscores the steady shift of housing-assisted residents toward independent home equity stakes in the Chicago market.
If you are a recipient of housing assistance, contact your local agency to ask if they offer similar transition-to-ownership programs. Review your household financial documents and long-term savings goals to see if you meet the eligibility criteria for home-buying assistance.
The takeaway
Reaching 1,000 graduates confirms that municipal homeownership programs offer a viable path to equity for long-term residents. Families should consider auditing their own progress toward ownership by consulting with local housing counselors regarding upcoming eligibility windows.
Further reading
Learn more about the local market and ownership initiatives on the Chicago Residential page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 Chicago.
