Thousands of low-income Chicago households rely on the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund to remain safely housed. The Trust Fund helps seniors, people with disabilities, working families, veterans, and other vulnerable residents afford rent and avoid homelessness. 

Today, this critical resource faces significant funding challenges. Without additional support, housing assistance for thousands of Chicagoans could be at risk. 

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund is calling on the City of Chicago to include an additional $13 million for the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund in the FY2027 Budget to preserve rental assistance, prevent homelessness, and protect affordable housing across our city. 

Housing is the foundation of healthy families, strong neighborhoods, and thriving communities. Every Chicagoan deserves the stability and dignity of a safe place to call home.

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund is a nonprofit organization established in 1989 to expand and preserve affordable rental housing opportunities for low-income residents across Chicago. Working in partnership with property owners, government agencies, and community organizations, the Trust Fund provides rental subsidies that enable individuals and families—including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and working households facing housing instability—to access safe and affordable housing in privately owned buildings throughout the city. By leveraging existing housing stock across diverse neighborhoods, the organization helps residents remain connected to their communities while also partnering with supportive service providers to offer resources such as healthcare, employment assistance, and case management that promote long-term housing stability. 

Over the years, the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund has played an important role in addressing homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing in Chicago. By creating partnerships between the public and private sectors, the organization has helped thousands of residents secure housing that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Its efforts support broader community development goals by reducing displacement, encouraging neighborhood diversity, and improving housing access for vulnerable populations across the city. 

Declines in key revenue sources—including Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund contributions and State Rental Housing Support Program allocations—have led to recurring operating deficits. Without corrective action, current projections indicate reserves could be exhausted within three years. 

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund (CLIHTF) is requesting an additional $13 million allocation in the City of Chicago’s FY2027 Budget to preserve critical rental housing assistance for extremely low-income households and stabilize the long-term operations of the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund. 

Elected officials continue to pursue policy-driven solutions such as the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP) and the Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO). While these initiatives provide important incentives and mandates to expand housing supply, they are not designed to serve households at the lowest income levels. 

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund announced the appointment of Jodi Baiyat as its new Executive Director, ushering in new leadership at a critical juncture for one of Chicago’s most vital affordable housing resources. As part of her initial priorities, Baiyat is calling on the City of Chicago to restore $13 million in funding lost due to recent tax policy changes.  

CCH has been actively engaged in supporting the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund through advocacy efforts focused on both immediate and long-term sustainability. CCH is helping advance short-term budget solutions aimed at stabilizing Trust Fund operations and preserving critical housing subsidies while also advocating for dedicated, long-term revenue sources to ensure ongoing program viability. In addition, the Coalition has pushed for stronger collaboration among city agencies, service providers, housing organizations, and other stakeholders to improve coordination and strengthen the overall affordable housing system. CCH efforts also include promoting programmatic improvements designed to increase operational efficiency, enhance accountability, and expand access to stable, affordable housing.