Comprehensive Housing Assistance

What Comprehensive Housing Assistance does

Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit housing and community development organization headquartered at 5809 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. Operating for roughly 40 years (incorporated 1986) and serving as an agency of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, CHAI delivers an integrated portfolio of services in northwest Baltimore neighborhoods including Park Heights, Pikesville, and Fallstaff. Its core products span three pillars: (1) affordable rental housing — managing approximately 1,600 senior housing units across Weinberg Senior Living communities (Weinberg Villages, Place, Manors, Woods) and Woodland Gardens I (63-unit family housing), with Woodland Gardens II (75-unit senior) in development; (2) homeownership pathways — HUD-certified counseling, $5,000 forgivable homebuyer incentive grants in zip 21215, and a Home Loan Program offering home improvement and energy savings loans, relaunched in September 2024 with an integrated online application platform; and (3) aging-in-community services — the Edward A. Myerberg Center (850+ members, 150+ annual programs), CHAIway subsidized Uber/Lyft and volunteer driver transportation, the Northwest Neighbors Connecting village model (~300 participants), Senior Home Repair, and Warm House programming for Orthodox Jewish older women.

CHAI's revenue model is a hybrid of federal and state government grants (HUD Section 202, Maryland DHCD BRNI, City of Baltimore INSPIRE), charitable donations and memberships ($12 monthly / $130 annual), loan program fees, and special event fundraising. Major recently disclosed funding includes a $3,734,840 HUD Section 202 grant (2020) for Woodland Gardens II, $500,000 BRNI (2026) for the Pikesville Armory workforce development makerspace, $500,000 over five years from an anonymous donor for Northwest Neighbors Connecting (2026), and over $8 million in cumulative BRNI funding channeled through the Northwest Baltimore Partnership since 2018. CHAI operates as fiscal sponsor and operating partner of NWBP, a city-county coalition coordinating community development across Park Circle to Pikesville, and partners with the State of Maryland and Rebirth Development under the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative to rehabilitate vacant properties for resale.

CHAI is led by CEO Lisa K. Budlow (appointed November 2018) with a leadership team that underwent significant refresh in 2025–2026, including the appointments of Will Pass (Chief Financial & Operating Officer), Kari Gorkos (VP of Community Programs), Catherine Stokes (VP of Housing Planning & Development, January 2026), Tiffany Nicolette (VP of Aging in Community), and Kevin Large (Director of the Myerberg Center, December 2025). The organization employs 11–50 staff across direct service delivery (HUD-certified counselors, resident service coordinators, community organizers), property and asset management, and program administration. CHAI does not operate proprietary technology platforms; its digital footprint is limited to a WordPress website, Constant Contact newsletter, Zoom-based virtual programming, and standard payment processing integrations.

Name

Comprehensive Housing Assistance

Legal name

CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.

Website

https://chaibaltimore.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHAI is a 40-year-old Baltimore nonprofit housing and community development organization providing affordable senior and family rental housing, HUD-certified homeownership counseling, senior center programming, and neighborhood revitalization across northwest Baltimore under the agency umbrella of The Associated.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: CHAI accepts donations from individuals and organizations. Membership options include Monthly Membership ($12.00) and Annual Membership ($130.00). Donations can be directed to specific departments including General Operations, Housing Services, Community Development, and Aging Programs and Services.
2. Federal and State Government Funding: CHAI receives significant federal funding including HUD Section 202 grants ($3,734,840 for Woodland Gardens II), Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative (BRNI) funding (over $8 million secured since 2018), and various state-level housing and community development grants.
3. Loan Program Fees: CHAI offers home loan programs including Home Improvement Loans and Energy Savings Loans for homeowners in northwest Baltimore, generating revenue through loan program operations.
4. Special Event Fundraising: CHAI conducts annual fundraising events including the Myerberg Center's spring fundraiser (raised close to $30,000 at 2025 event) and Friends of the Myerberg Annual Giving Campaign (goal of $75,000 for FY26).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CHAI is a nonprofit that develops and manages affordable rental housing in northwest Baltimore, delivers HUD-certified housing counseling and foreclosure/eviction prevention services to residents, and administers a home loan and home repair program for income-eligible homeowners. It also operates the Edward A. Myerberg Center, a senior center providing programming and on-site services, runs the CHAIway shuttle for older adults, and delivers community-school, children, and family programs in partnership with local public schools and the Park Heights neighborhood.

Product overview

CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. is a nonprofit housing and community development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services focused on strengthening northwest Baltimore neighborhoods. The organization operates a multi-faceted housing platform including affordable rental housing (Weinberg Villages, Weinberg Manors, Weinberg Place, Woodland Gardens I and II), homeownership programs (housing counseling, Homebuyer Incentive Grant, home improvement loans), and senior services (Edward A. Myerberg Center senior center, CHAIway transportation, Northwest Neighbors Connecting village model, Senior Home Repair). These products work together through CHAI's community development approach, combining housing development, community programs, school partnerships, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives including the Northwest Baltimore Partnership and Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Northwest Neighbors Connecting (NNC): Village model program supporting older adults to age in place while enhancing physical, emotional, and social well-being
• CHAIway
• The Edward A. Myerberg Center
• Weinberg Senior Living
• Woodland Gardens
• Warm House

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,700+ units of affordable housing created
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Northwest Baltimore Partnership (NWBP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026City-County coalition working from Park Circle to Pikesville to advance coordinated community development in northwest Baltimore. Founded in 2018, NWBP has secured more than $8 million through Maryland DHCD's BRNI program. CHAI serves as the operating partner, managing the partnership and advancing revitalization projects.
• Rebirth DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI) to revitalize vacant properties in Central Park Heights. CHAI and Rebirth Development have completely restored and sold their first BVRI home, with a second nearly complete and more properties in development.
• Park Heights RenaissancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in housing development in Park Heights. Partnership includes Woodland Gardens I (63-unit family housing) and other redevelopment projects in the neighborhood.
• Pikesville Armory FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAI serves as fiscal sponsor of the Northwest Baltimore Partnership's involvement with the Pikesville Armory Foundation. Together they are reimagining the decommissioned Pikesville Armory as a multi-use community hub with arts, recreation, workforce development, and future housing. Received $500,000 BRNI funding for workforce development makerspace.
• LifeBridge HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Myerberg Center's 2nd annual Community Health Fair with over 40 vendors. LifeBridge Health partners on health-related programming and wellness initiatives.
• Humphrey ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProperty management company for CHAI's Weinberg Senior Living communities since October 2020. Model of respect, responsibility, and accountability matches CHAI's family and senior living communities.
• Langston Hughes Community CentersupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for community events including One Park Heights festivals and Community Leadership Academy kickoff sessions.
• Maryland Food BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in weekly food distribution at Fallstaff Elementary Middle School, distributing about 130 30-pound boxes of shelf-stable pantry items weekly.
• CASA de MarylandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Fallstaff food distribution and community organizing, including Spanish language services for Spanish-speaking community members.
• Iris Music ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for The Lullaby Project at Weinberg Village, pairing residents with professional musicians to co-write original songs.
• Jewish Community Center (JCC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Myerberg at the J program bringing Myerberg classes in arts, humanities, wellness, and technology to the Owings Mills JCC. Includes partnership on community festivals and events.
• T-MobilesupportingOthersDonated tablets for Myerberg's Tech-Knowledge Hub tablet sharing program serving residents in Weinberg Senior Living communities.
• Southway Builders, Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer engagement at Woodland Gardens II senior housing community, revitalizing planters in community garden with employees volunteering alongside other partners.
• Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Leadership Academy series, providing four-part training on community organizing for northwest Baltimore community leaders.
• ULI BaltimoresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAI hosted ULI Baltimore's Content Before Cocktails series at Weinberg Place, showcasing award-winning renovation to 50+ real estate and design professionals.
• Baltimore Jewish CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy efforts helped restore state funding for Northwest Neighbors Connecting core program.
• Baltimore County Department of AgingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BCAUSE (Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors) program providing home repairs and safety modifications to low-income county residents.
• Jewish Connection NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Good Neighbor Day community service events and cleanup initiatives, coordinating volunteers for senior home winterization and neighborhood beautification.
• Park West Health System (PWHS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Park Heights Voices art workshops, hosting community art events at Myerberg Center led by nationally acclaimed artist Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen.
• Greater Baltimore Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in Pikesville Downtown Partnership, a collaborative effort advancing Pikesville Revitalization Action Plan (PRAP) as part of Baltimore County's Master Plan 2030.
• 1000 Friends of PikesvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pikesville Downtown Partnership committed to revitalizing Pikesville's Central Business District.
• Baltimore County Department of PlanningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Pikesville Downtown Partnership in conjunction with Baltimore County's Master Plan 2030.
• Pimlico Compact Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAI serves on this community advisory board formed in 2020 after neighborhood meetings hosted by CHAI, ensuring community voice in Pimlico Race Course redevelopment.
• Maryland Stadium AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pimlico redevelopment presenting redesigned site plans at public meetings through Pimlico Community Advisory Board.
• Network of Jewish Human Service AgenciessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAI is a member of this network of Jewish human service agencies.
• Baltimore Classical Guitar SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in The Lullaby Project bringing music programs to Weinberg Village residents.
• eHomeAmericasupportingTechnology or IntegrationHUD-certified partner providing online homebuyer education workshops that CHAI refers prospective homebuyers to for initial education before one-on-one counseling.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: Baltimore-area Habitat affiliate that builds, rehabs, and finances affordable homes for first-time buyers in the same geography as CHAI, overlapping directly on homebuyer education, counseling, and down-payment assistance programs.
• AHC Inc. Nonprofit developer and operator of affordable rental housing across the Baltimore/Washington region using LIHTC and HUD financing, closely mirroring CHAI's Weinberg Senior Living and Woodland Gardens portfolio structure and operating model.
• Volunteers of America Maryland: Multifunction nonprofit operating senior housing, behavioral health, and community programs across Maryland, with comparable service-enriched housing models and senior-focused programs serving similar low-income populations.
• Rebuilding Together Baltimore: Local affiliate of the national Rebuilding Together network providing free home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, directly comparable to CHAI's Senior Home Repair and Benefits program serving northwest Baltimore seniors.
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore: Large multifunction social services nonprofit operating housing, senior services, food programs and community development across Baltimore, sharing CHAI's integrated housing-plus-services approach for low-income residents and seniors.
• Beacon Communities: National nonprofit/developer of affordable and mixed-income housing that develops and operates LIHTC-financed multifamily properties, comparable to CHAI in producing subsidized affordable rental product across multiple state markets.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: Baltimore-headquartered national nonprofit developer, financier and policy advocate for affordable housing; operates at far greater scale than CHAI but produces comparable LIHTC-financed rental products and community programs across multiple regions.
• National Church Residences: One of the largest nonprofit senior housing operators in the U.S., providing service-enriched affordable housing for older adults across many states; mirrors CHAI's Weinberg Senior Living model of combining subsidized housing with on-site services for seniors 62+.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National community development financial institution that channels capital and capacity-building support to local CDCs, including in Baltimore, functioning as both an industry ally and a comparable scaled platform for housing and community development.

Others

• Pennrose: For-profit developer and manager of affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing with active Baltimore operations, providing a structurally similar operating model for LIHTC-financed communities even though organized as a for-profit rather than nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chaibaltimore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chai-comprehensive-housing-assistance-inc.
• Xx.com/chai_baltimore

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 Comprehensive Housing Assistance