Chicago Cohousing NetworkCENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
http://www.centerforsustainablecommunity.org/
123 Crescent Lane, Stelle, IL 60919
Email: CSC@stelle.net 815-256-2204
Although CSC does not call itself a Cohousing community, much of the work they do contributes to support of green cohousing communities. What makes the center especially attractive is that it is within easy driving distance (a little over 2 hours) south of Chicago.
CSC Monthly Open House ( Normally the first Sunday of each month)
Sunday, March 12, You can meet CSC folks and tour Stelle. Includes an open discussion on what’s going on with CSC and the ‘Heart of Sustainability’. 10-4:00, Includes lunch .
Suggested donation $5-$20
STONE SOUP COOPERATIVE, Chicago
http://stonesoupcoop.org/
In the spring of 1997, a handful of progressive individuals come together around the idea that in order to build a just world we should start with ourselves. In the fall of 1997 Stone soup found it current home for its 18 members on the north Ashland a former convent building fro a local catholic school.
The collective is designed and controlled by consensus of its members. It is dedicated to work for local, national and international social justice issues. Among its members are community organizers, environmental and human rights activities, teachers, artists, and students living i the uptown area of the north side of Chicago.
Stone Soup Cooperative
4637 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
Contact: Erika or Roy, Phone: 773-506-2469,
E-mail: membershipashland@stonesoupcoop.org
Stone Soup
1430 Leland
Chicago IL 60640
Contact: Emily, Phone: 773-878-3225,
E-mail: membershipleland@stonesoupcoop.org
Stone Soup Hoyne
3549 S Hoyne
Chicago, IL 60609
Contact: Michelle, Phone: (773) 247-1835 or (773) 247-1755
E-mail: membershiphoyne@stonesoupcoop.org
Chicago Community Loan Fund
http://www.cclfchicago.org
Mission Community Loan Fund (CCLF) is a social investment intermediary providing low-cost, flexible financing to community development organizations engaged in affordable housing, social service and economic development initiatives that benefit low-and moderate-income families and neighborhoods throughout metropolitan Chicago.
CCLF was founded in 1991 by a group of visionary social-investment advocates. Their aim was to create a nimble, flexible nonprofit lender who would fill the community development credit gaps as they emerged across the city and region. In particular, CCLF was created to ensure that Chicago community development organizations (including small and emerging groups) would have a lender to turn to for harder-to-underwrite projects and enterprises.
Work in Bronzeville 50 loans since 1991-Close to $15 million invested in community development. More than $390 million in additional public and private -sector financing leveraged project supporting housing, cooperatives, economic development, medical facilities, and childcare community centers.
Example:
Vincennes Court Apartments 4821 S. Vincennes
Affordable housing 30-60% of area median income, 67 rental housing units
Loan $684,000 minipermanent mortgage
The loan helped to ensure and maintain stable and affordable high quality rental units
My gut feeling: community development requires a large measure of economic development and support.
The Chicago Community Loan Fund is providing a valuable service for lower income areas. Enlisting CCLF as an ally for Prairie Onion Cohousing could be very helpful in creating an affordable component for our cohousing community. – Hal
