CDCLI

What CDCLI does

CDLI (Community Development Corporation of Long Island, operating as Community Development Long Island) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 and headquartered in Melville, New York, with a secondary office in Hempstead. The organization invests in the housing and economic aspirations of individuals and families across Long Island by delivering an integrated portfolio of affordable housing and financial empowerment services. Its core offerings include administration of the Housing Choice Voucher Program for tenants and landlords, the Dreamers of Homeownership mortgage-readiness program, homeowner resources for property maintenance, financial coaching, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing lending products to underserved populations, rental opportunity listings, and partnership services for property developers and municipalities. The organization also publishes the Long Island Zoning Atlas, a data and mapping tool supporting housing planning across Long Island municipalities.

CDLI is a chartered member of NeighborWorks America and is rated by Charity Navigator, signaling regulatory standing and accountability within the national community development ecosystem. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: it reaches residents and stakeholders through a website, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube), email newsletters, community events including an annual luncheon, and direct partnerships with municipalities, landlords, property developers, and contractors. Revenue is derived from three streams: CDFI lending transaction fees, government contracts and grants (most prominently Housing Choice Voucher Program administration), and donations from individuals and organizations. Pricing for services is primarily free or low-cost to qualifying residents, consistent with its nonprofit mission.

The organization is led by President and CEO Gwen O'Shea, with a Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and Council of Advisors disclosed on its website. Technology is not publicly disclosed as a strategic product surface; CDLI's differentiation rests on regulatory credentials (CDFI designation, NeighborWorks charter, NeighborWorks Green recognition), a multi-decade community presence, and a hybrid service model that combines direct housing provision, financial education, and development financing for underserved Long Island communities.

Name

CDCLI

Legal name

Community Development Corporation of Long Island

Website

https://cdcli.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CDLI is a Long Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that delivers affordable housing programs, homeownership education, financial coaching, and CDFI lending to underserved individuals, families, landlords, and property developers across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing and Community Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Community development lending
• Housing choice vouchers
• Homeownership preparation
• Financial coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Centereach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CDFI Lending: Community Development Financial Institution providing various lending options to meet community needs including affordable housing loans and financial products for underserved populations on Long Island.
2. Government Contracts and Grants: Operates Housing Choice Voucher Program and other government-funded affordable housing initiatives that provide operational funding.
3. Donations and Philanthropic Support: Accepts donations from individuals and organizations to support community development mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CDCLI (Community Development Long Island) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides affordable housing assistance, financial coaching, and community lending on Long Island. It operates a Housing Choice Voucher Program, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offering lending products, and educational programs for aspiring and current homeowners. The organization also partners with property developers and owners to create and preserve affordable housing.

Product overview

CDCLI offers a portfolio of interconnected community development services focused on affordable housing and economic empowerment. The core offerings include the Housing Choice Voucher Program for tenant and landlord assistance, the Dreamers of Homeownership program for mortgage readiness education, and Homeowner Resources for home improvement guidance. CDCLI also serves Property Developers & Owners through partnership programs, and operates a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing lending options. Additional services include Financial Coaching & Resources, Rental Opportunities listings, and a Long Island Zoning Atlas tool. These products work together to support individuals from rental assistance through homeownership, while also supporting property developers and the broader community development ecosystem on Long Island.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher Program

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDLI holds chartered membership in NeighborWorks America, a national network of community development organizations. This partnership provides access to training, resources, best practices, and potential funding for affordable housing and community development initiatives across Long Island.
• Home Matters AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership affiliation with Home Matters America, a national organization focused on housing stability and community development. CDLI displays the Home Matters logo indicating collaborative alignment on housing issues.
• Neighborworks Green OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDLI participates in the Neighborworks Green Organization initiative, demonstrating commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient practices in housing development and community building.
• Charity NavigatorminorOthersCDLI is rated by Charity Navigator (EIN 11-2221341), demonstrating transparency and accountability in nonprofit operations. This rating helps build donor trust and credibility.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national community development intermediary that funds and supports local CDCs, including those providing affordable housing, financial counseling, and small-business lending. It is broadly comparable to CDLI in mission but operates at national scale.
• Housing Partnership Network: Housing Partnership Network is a national membership collaborative of high-performing affordable housing and community development nonprofits, of which CDLI would be a natural peer member given its scale and integrated model.
• Community Preservation Corporation (CPC): CPC is a New York-based nonprofit CDFI providing multifamily financing for affordable housing, with a mission and lending model closely aligned with CDLI's CDFI arm and developer partnership work.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Enterprise is a national nonprofit that develops and preserves affordable housing, deploys CDFI-style capital, and partners with local organizations including those on Long Island. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping mission and capital deployment but vastly larger scale.

Others

• NeighborWorks America: NeighborWorks America is the national network of which CDLI is a chartered member. It provides funding, training, and standards to local CDCs and is included here as the ecosystem umbrella rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• RiseBoro Community Partnership: RiseBoro is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, senior services, and community development with a similar integrated model. It is a regional peer in the broader New York metro area rather than a direct Long Island competitor.
• Selfhelp Community Services: Selfhelp is a New York City-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, senior housing, and supportive services. It shares CDLI's integrated housing-plus-services approach but operates primarily in NYC rather than Long Island.

Direct peers

• Long Island Housing Partnership: Long Island Housing Partnership is a directly comparable nonprofit providing affordable housing development, homebuyer education, and down payment assistance across Nassau and Suffolk counties, overlapping with CDLI's service area and product mix.
• Habitat for Humanity of Long Island: Habitat for Humanity of Long Island builds and rehabilitates affordable homes in the same geography as CDLI, partnering with low-income families and volunteers to deliver homeownership outcomes comparable to CDLI's Dreamers of Homeownership and homeowner resources programs.

Emerging players

• Make the Road New York: Make the Road is a New York-based nonprofit combining housing counseling, tenant support, and community organizing with services that overlap CDLI's tenant and homeowner resources, though it is advocacy-led rather than development-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CDCofLongIsland
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvSZvQ6mDZtVicX2F61zDwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/cdcoflongisland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-development-corporation-of-long-island
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitydevelopmentli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 CDCLI