CHN Housing Partners

What CHN Housing Partners does

CHN Housing Partners is a Cleveland, Ohio-based nonprofit affordable housing developer, housing services provider, and residential mortgage lender founded in 1981 (originally as Cleveland Housing Network, rebranded 2017). The organization operates across Ohio, Michigan (Detroit), and Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), employing 200+ staff out of a recently renovated 45,000 sq ft headquarters. CHN has developed 7,240+ affordable homes historically and serves 60,000 individuals annually through housing stability, counseling, weatherization, utility assistance, and tax preparation programs.

The company's core product is the Lease Purchase Program, a 15-year rent-to-own pathway that combines affordable rent with HUD-certified financial counseling and credit-building services; 4,100+ families have transitioned to homeownership through this mechanism. The technology stack is service-delivery rather than software-driven, with proprietary program architecture (lease-purchase methodology, rent reporting to Experian Rent Bureau, HUD-certified counseling curriculum) functioning as the differentiation layer. Supporting products include Believe Mortgage (low down payment first mortgages with no PMI, 158 closed loans totaling $18M+), Down Payment Assistance Programs (up to 20% of purchase price), Home Repair Loans (up to $20,000), and energy savings/utility assistance services.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across development fees from LIHTC-financed projects, ongoing property management, loan origination fees and interest from Believe Mortgage, federal and state grants (HUD, CDFI Fund, OHFA, MSHDA), foundation grants (Cleveland Foundation, George Gund Foundation, Home Depot Foundation), and bank partnerships (KeyBank, Fifth Third, Third Federal). Customer segments are primarily low-income families aspiring to homeownership, seniors (62+), veterans, chronically homeless individuals, and renters requiring energy/utility assistance; 96% of Believe Mortgage borrowers are African American or Latino and nearly 50% are female-headed households. Distribution is community-led through direct service delivery, satellite offices (CentroVilla in Clark-Fulton), HUD-certified counseling, partner-embedded services, and online/Zoom class delivery.

Name

CHN Housing Partners

Legal name

CHN Housing Partners

Website

https://chnhousingpartners.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CHN Housing Partners is a Cleveland-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and lender operating in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. It runs a 15-year Lease Purchase homeownership pathway, the Believe Mortgage lending arm, and housing services serving low-income families, seniors, veterans, and homeless individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Development and Services

NAICS

Residential Property Managers (531311), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Single-Family Rental (SFR) Property Management (BPAJAFAB), New Development / Declarant Transition Management (BPAJAHAK), Single-Site CCRCs (HLADAEAE)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Residential mortgage lending
• Homebuyer education services
• Housing counseling programs
• Community development lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Housing Development & Construction: CHN develops affordable housing through Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects, serving as developer, co-owner, and property manager. Revenue comes from development fees, syndication equity, and ongoing property management.
2. Residential Mortgage Lending (Believe Mortgage): CHN's lending arm provides first mortgages and home repair loans. Revenue generated through loan origination fees and interest. Has closed 158 first mortgages totaling over $18M.
3. Housing Services & Counseling: Provides weatherization, utility assistance, tax preparation, foreclosure prevention, and financial education services. Funded through federal grants, utility programs, and government partnerships.
4. Grant Funding: CHN receives grants from government agencies including Ohio Housing Finance Agency, CDFI Fund Capital Magnet Awards ($3.375M), and Federal Home Loan Bank for affordable housing initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHN Housing Partners is a nonprofit affordable housing developer and service provider that operates a 15-year Lease Purchase program allowing low-income families to lease homes with a clear path to ownership. Through its subsidiary Believe Mortgage, CHN originates low-down-payment first mortgages with no PMI, and the organization provides HUD-certified homebuyer education, weatherization, utility assistance, free tax preparation, foreclosure prevention, and supportive housing for seniors, veterans, and homeless individuals across Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Product overview

CHN Housing Partners is a nonprofit affordable housing developer and housing service provider operating a multi-product platform. The core offering is the nationally-recognized Lease Purchase Program—a 15-year pathway to homeownership for low-income families. Supporting this are financial products from Believe Mortgage (low down payment first mortgages with down payment assistance up to 10-20% and home repair loans up to $20,000), education offerings (Homebuyer Basics, HUD-certified 4-Part Homebuyer Education Series, Financial Capabilities Series, and Framework self-paced online courses), and service programs (Energy Savings, Utility Assistance/HEAP-PIPP, Free Tax Preparation/VITA, Property Management, and Housing Development & Construction). The company also administers the Detroit Housing Network and provides foreclosure prevention counseling. The portfolio serves homeowners, renters, and those seeking affordable housing across Ohio and Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Believe Mortgage: First mortgage program offering low down payment mortgages for homebuyers in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties with no first-time homebuyer restrictions, no income restrictions, and no private mortgage insurance.

Products and services

• Lease Purchase Program A 15-year pathway to homeownership for low-income families combining affordable rent with support services (credit counseling, financial education) and a clear path to purchase at the end of the term. The program has produced 4,100+ new homeowners, including 3,200 in Cleveland alone.
• Believe Mortgage First mortgage program offering low down payment mortgages for homebuyers in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties with no first-time homebuyer restrictions, no income restrictions, no monthly PMI, and consideration of buyers with lower credit scores. 96% of borrowers are African American or Latino and nearly 50% are female-headed households; 158 first mortgages totaling over $18M have been closed to date.
• Down Payment Assistance Programs Two DPA programs: Cuyahoga County DPA at 10% of purchase price with a max purchase price of $133,950 for buyers at or below 80% AMI, and City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative DPA at $20,000 for new construction in the Glenville-Circle North area.
• Home Repair Loans Loans up to $20,000 for eligible repairs including roofs, porches, HVAC, plumbing, and driveways for homeowners at or below 120% AMI in Cuyahoga County.
• Homebuyer Basics Course Free introductory class providing an overview of the homebuying process including improving finances, getting mortgage-ready, key players, financing options, and first-time homebuyer programs; no certificate issued.
• Homebuyer Education 4-Part Series 8-hour HUD-certified instructor-led series designed for households actively in the homebuying process; certificate valid for one year and fulfills education requirements for HUD-approved down payment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs.
• Framework Self-Paced Online Education $75 self-paced online homeownership education course meeting counseling requirements for HUD homebuyer programs, delivered through the Framework homeownership platform at learn.frameworkhomeownership.org.
• Energy Savings Programs Federal and utility-funded weatherization programs for income-qualified renters and homeowners including furnace repair/replacement, insulation, hot water tank services, energy audits, minor plumbing repairs, and LED bulb installations. CHN completes approximately 4,500 energy conservation projects per year.
• Utility Assistance Programs HEAP/PIPP utility assistance programs providing help with heating and cooling costs for eligible residents, including automated qualification for energy services programs, delivered through CHN's CentroVilla satellite office and direct service channels.
• Free Tax Preparation Services Free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program providing free tax preparation for individuals and families earning less than $69,000, helping filers identify eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Property & Asset Management Property management and maintenance services for housing financed through LIHTC and HUD programs including HOME, Section 8, HUD PRAC, Hope VI, and the Supportive Housing Program.
• Housing Development & Construction Development and construction services including new construction, rehabilitation, LIHTC lease-purchase consulting, and portfolio management of affordable housing projects across Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. CHN has developed 7,240+ affordable homes and 60,000 individuals receive housing stability services annually.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling and assistance services to help homeowners facing foreclosure, including financial counseling, workout solutions, and reverse mortgage options.
• Detroit Housing Network CHN-administered alliance of housing nonprofits providing coordinated access to housing services in Detroit; CHN serves as network administrator through its Detroit market team.
• Financial Capabilities Series Financial education classes covering budget development, SMART financial goals, savings strategies, credit understanding, and financial wellness; topics can be tailored to organizational target audiences and delivered as group education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 79% of rent reporting pilot participants experienced credit score increases averaging 23 points; 90% of subprime borrowers improved scores by avg. 32 points
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Cody Rouge Community Action AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Co-developers of Archdale Senior Apartments in Detroit's Warrendale Cody Rouge neighborhood. CRCAA provides community leadership and vision for senior affordable housing development.
• Third Federal Savings and LoancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 February 2026Partnership since 2012 offering free income tax preparation assistance for individuals earning less than $69,000, supporting EITC outreach.
• Enterprise Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026Partner in Super Refund Saturday free tax preparation event alongside KeyBank and Saint Ignatius High School.
• Enterprise Community PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 202540-year partnership with 50th LIHTC deal on Hope Homes. Enterprise provides LIHTC equity, supportive partnership in housing developments across Cleveland. CHN and Enterprise have collaborated on hundreds of homes and countless community initiatives.
• Emerald Development and Economic Network (EDEN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Partnership on Emerald Senior, a 62-unit supportive housing development for seniors and veterans in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood. EDEN provides operational expertise and community connections.
• Benjamin Rose InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 July 2025On-site supportive services provider for Emerald Senior, including trauma recovery, case management, healthcare, and life skills training.
• ProRoofing and ContractingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 July 2025Contractor for CentroVilla office buildout - completed $85,000, 1,200 sq. ft. renovation in 21 days.
• Detroit Housing NetworkflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 October 2024CHN serves as network administrator of Detroit Housing Network - an alliance of housing nonprofits providing clear and equitable access to housing services in Detroit.
• KeyBankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 September 2024Long-term partner supporting homeownership through Believe Mortgage, home repair funding, Lease Purchase Program support, permanent supportive housing developments, and free tax preparation volunteer programs.
• Cuyahoga Land BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2024Property owner and lease partner for The Arch at Saint Michael development. Provides vacant properties for affordable housing redevelopment.
• Detroit Blight BusterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2023Co-developers of Orchard Village Apartments (48-unit, $15.7M) in Detroit's Old Redford neighborhood. Partnership combines CHN's development expertise with Blight Busters' community grassroots presence.
• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network that provides CHN with training, resources, and support for community development. CHN is a Chartered Member.
• Credit Builders AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the Power of Rent Reporting national pilot that enrolled 1,255 individuals from 8 affordable housing organizations to test rent reporting as a credit-building strategy.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and LIHTC syndicator. CHN's 40-year LIHTC co-development partner with 50 joint deals. Operates at much larger scale but in same product category with similar customer segments and funding model.
• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing developer operating in similar urban markets. Develops LIHTC and HUD-funded multifamily and senior housing with comparable supportive services model targeting low-income families, seniors, and formerly homeless individuals.
• The Community Builders: Nonprofit affordable housing developer with mixed-income and supportive housing developments in Midwest and East Coast markets. Directly comparable LIHTC development, property management, and resident services operating model.
• BRIDGE Housing: Nonprofit affordable housing developer focused on California and Pacific Northwest markets. Similar LIHTC-based development pipeline, property management, and resident services targeting low-income families and seniors.
• Cinnaire Solutions: CDFI providing LIHTC equity and affordable housing financing in Michigan and other Midwest markets. Existing CHN partner on Orchard Village; competes for similar developer relationships and LIHTC awards.
• Detroit Blight Busters: Detroit-based affordable housing developer and CHN co-development partner on Orchard Village. Smaller scale but directly comparable model of community-rooted affordable housing development in CHN's Detroit market.
• National Housing Trust: National nonprofit preserving and developing affordable rental housing. Comparable LIHTC and HUD-financed development pipeline, property management, and resident services for low-income families and seniors.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Largest nonprofit affordable housing organization globally with a parallel lease-to-own / sweat-equity homeownership model. Operates in substantially more markets than CHN but serves an overlapping low-income homebuyer segment.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial intermediary supporting affordable housing, economic development, and community health. Operates in Cleveland and similar markets with comparable LIHTC financing and capacity-building roles.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of which CHN is a Chartered Member. Funds and supports 248+ community development nonprofits; comparable affordable housing development, lending, and counseling service lines at portfolio level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHNHousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHNHousingPartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/89720
• Instagraminstagram.com/chnhousing/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHN Housing Partners