Community Housing Innovations

What Community Housing Innovations does

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a New York State 501(c)(3) nonprofit housing and human services organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, with regional offices in Fishkill (Hudson Valley) and East Patchogue (Long Island). CHI delivers a continuum of housing and support services to income-eligible households across Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, and Orange counties as well as New York City. Core programs include the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), Supportive and Permanent Housing for individuals with severe mental illness referred through Westchester DCMH's Single Point of Access, the Rental Supplement Program (RSP), Eviction Prevention counseling, Foreclosure Prevention counseling, a Financial Literacy program, and HUD-approved First-Time Homebuyer Orientations tied to a grant program. Per the organization, it provides over 1,500 units of emergency housing nightly through OTDA and county DSS partnerships.

CHI operates on a contracted-services revenue model funded primarily by government grants from NY State OTDA, NYC DHS, county DSS agencies, Westchester DCMH, and HUD, supplemented by individual and corporate donations via its website. Services are delivered free of charge to clients, who must typically be referred through authorized county agencies or the Continuum of Care rather than walk in. The technology stack is non-proprietary: CHI uses commodity case management platforms (CARES, HOME, CAPS, AWARDS) for client tracking and reporting, Zoom for virtual orientations, and Constant Contact for email outreach, with no identified AI/ML or proprietary systems.

The go-to-market is sales-led but relationship-mediated: CHI is not selling to consumers but securing and renewing multi-year government contracts and cultivating referral pipelines with county social services departments. Headcount is in the 251-500 range with 105+ open positions as of June 2026, indicating active organizational buildout. Founded by Steven Gifford and governed as an independent nonprofit board, CHI's strategic posture is best characterized as steady regional expansion (NYC Master Lease Housing, Dutchess/Orange RSP) layered onto a stable 30+-year operational base, with no disclosed M&A, venture funding, or technology disruption.

Name

Community Housing Innovations

Legal name

Community Housing Innovations, Inc.

Website

https://communityhousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Community Housing Innovations is a New York State 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing emergency housing, supportive and permanent housing, rental assistance, eviction and foreclosure prevention, financial literacy, and HUD-approved homebuyer counseling to income-eligible households across Westchester, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Orange County, and NYC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing & Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Benefits & Rent Subsidy Administration (BPAIAKAG), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Emergency housing assistance
• Rental supplement programs
• Eviction prevention counseling
• Homeownership counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Patchogue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Grants: CHI operates programs funded by New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), county Departments of Social Services (DSS), NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), and federal HUD housing counseling grants. The organization also receives funding through Rental Supplement Programs administered by OTDA and local counties.
2. Donations & Philanthropy: CHI accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support housing programs and services. The organization operates a donation portal and partners page for prospective donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a New York-based nonprofit that delivers a comprehensive continuum of housing and support services to low-income individuals and families. Its core offerings include the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), Supportive & Permanent Housing, Rental Supplement Programs (RSP), Eviction Prevention, Foreclosure Prevention, Financial Literacy education, and HUD-approved First-Time Homebuyer Orientations with grant assistance. Services are provided free of charge to income-eligible clients and are delivered through regional offices in Westchester, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.

Product overview

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) offers a comprehensive portfolio of housing and support services designed to break the cycle of poverty and build stronger communities in New York. The core offerings include Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) providing temporary scattered-site housing, Supportive & Permanent Housing with wraparound services, Rental Supplement Program (RSP) for rental assistance, Eviction Prevention counseling, Financial Literacy programs, Foreclosure Prevention services, and First-Time Homebuyer Orientations with grant assistance. These programs are coordinated through regional offices in Westchester, Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City, with services delivered via case management, housing counseling, and partnerships with county Departments of Social Services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) Temporary emergency housing program for homeless families in New York, placing families in open-market apartments in general communities with case management and intensive support services to help move households from crisis to stable permanent housing.
• Supportive & Permanent Housing Permanent housing with onsite services for families and individuals with special needs, including formerly homeless individuals with severe mental illness. Provides case management, health coordination, and community activities.
• Rental Supplement Program (RSP) New York State funded rental assistance program bridging the gap between income and rent for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or facing imminent loss of housing. Operates in Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester counties.
• Eviction Prevention Expert counseling and assistance for renters facing eviction, providing personalized support and connecting clients to essential services that promote long-term housing stability for income-eligible Westchester County residents.
• Financial Literacy & Counseling Programs Education and counseling programs to build financial skills and achieve long-term economic stability. Includes the Financial Freedom seminar series, down-payment grant assistance, and resources covering credit, budgeting, and money management.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling and assistance for homeowners in Westchester and Dutchess Counties experiencing delinquency or foreclosure issues. Housing Retention Counselors provide information and advocacy to help keep homeowners in their homes.
• First-Time Homebuyer Orientation & Grant Program HUD-approved 90-minute virtual orientation introducing first-time homebuyers to the homebuying process, covering Fair Housing Laws, CHI's First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program, mortgage components, and home search tips. Attendance required before grant application submission.
• CHI Realty / Development Real estate development services focused on creating affordable housing and expanding housing inventory in New York communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 units of emergency housing provided every night
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)coreOthersState agency that administers Rental Supplement Programs (RSP) and Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). CHI operates programs funded through OTDA grants and manages RSP programs in partnership with local county districts.
• Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange County Departments of Social ServicescoreOthersCounty agencies that refer clients to CHI's emergency housing programs and co-administer Rental Supplement Programs. Partnerships enable CHAP to provide over 1,500 units of emergency housing nightly.
• NYC Department of Homeless Services (NYC DHS)coreOthersNYC agency that refers homeless families and individuals to CHI's Master Lease Housing program. Under this program, CHI holds master leases in the private market and offers one-year permanent subleases to eligible households.
• Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH)coreOthersCounty mental health agency that refers individuals with severe mental illness to CHI's supportive housing programs through the Single Point of Access (SPOA) system. CHI provides permanent supportive housing with onsite services for these clients.
• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)coreOthersFederal agency that approves CHI as a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency, enabling CHI to provide education, counseling and grant assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Various Community Organizations (logo gallery)minorOthersCHI maintains partnerships with various community organizations displayed in their partner logo gallery on the website. These include healthcare providers, food services, employment agencies, and educational institutions that support CHI's comprehensive service delivery.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Breaking Ground: A NYC nonprofit operating one of the largest supportive housing portfolios for formerly homeless individuals, including those with mental illness, veterans, and people with HIV/AIDS. Directly comparable to CHI's permanent supportive housing program.
• Project Renewal: One of NYC's largest nonprofits serving homeless and low-income individuals with housing, healthcare, and employment programs. Project Renewal's full continuum from street outreach to permanent housing mirrors CHI's wraparound model.
• The Doe Fund: A NYC nonprofit providing transitional and permanent housing, workforce development, and reentry services for homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. Operates a similar residential + supportive services model.
• Housing Works: A NYC-based nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, advocacy, and supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS and people experiencing homelessness. Operates a similar service-plus-advocacy model with significant housing inventory.
• West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing: A NYC nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless seniors and adults with mental illness. CHI's Supportive & Permanent Housing line, particularly through the Westchester DCMH SPOA referral channel, is directly comparable in operating model and target population.
• Westhab: A Westchester-based nonprofit developer and service provider of affordable housing, workforce development, and community support. Closely comparable to CHI's combined service + realty/development model across the same NY region.
• Lantern Community Services: A NY nonprofit providing supportive housing and services for vulnerable populations including formerly homeless adults with mental illness. Directly comparable in population focus and service delivery.
• Lifting Up Westchester: A Westchester-based nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, housing placement and case management services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. CHI's Westchester footprint and service mix (EHAP, RSP, supportive housing, eviction prevention) directly competes with and complements Lifting Up Westchester's programs.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America Greater New York: A large regional affiliate of a national nonprofit providing housing (including supportive and senior housing), behavioral health, and family services across NY and NJ. Overlaps with CHI's supportive housing and case management services but operates at a significantly larger scale across more service lines.
• Enterprise Community Partners: A national leader in affordable housing development, policy advocacy, and community development finance. Operates at a much larger scale than CHI, but serves overlapping clientele and shares the development-and-services integrated mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHI_Community
• Facebookfacebook.com/communityhousinginnovations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-housing-innovations-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/communityhousinginnovations

Compliance1 record

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 Community Housing Innovations