What CHHAYA Community Development does

CHHAYA Community Development Corporation (Chhaya CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation founded in October 2000 as an affiliate of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE). The organization builds housing stability and economic well-being for low-income South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant communities in New York City, principally in the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill. It operates from two physical offices staffed by 11–50 employees and delivers services in seven South Asian languages (Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan).

The organization runs four integrated program verticals. Housing Justice covers first-time homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention as a HUD-certified counseling agency, and tenant advocacy including work with the Bangladeshi Tenant Union. Economic Justice includes individual financial counseling, a Peer Lending Circle program where members pool monthly contributions and rotate loans to build consumer credit, a Small Business Program serving approximately 500 immigrant-owned merchants, and a VITA-free tax preparation service that filed over 900 returns in 2019, returning $441,600 in EITC to low-income filers. Immigration Navigation provides free help with citizenship, green card, DACA, TPS, and family petition applications through the Action NYC network, assisting over 250 immigrants toward citizenship in a recent cohort. Civic Engagement mobilizes voters, runs candidate forums, and pushes policy campaigns. Active coalition campaigns include BASE (basement apartment legalization), Commercial Rent Stabilization (Intro 1796), and Public Bank NYC.

Chhaya CDC's revenue model rests on individual and institutional donations, foundation grants (e.g., Citi Foundation), government contracts (HUD counseling, VITA, NYC agencies), and earmarks (Congressman Meeks presented $150K of federal funding in 2023). All client-facing services are free, including housing counseling, immigration navigation, tenant advocacy, and small business support. The go-to-market is community-led: direct service at offices, multilingual workshops, partner referrals through South Asian community organizations, and public testimony/earned media. The organization is governed by an independent board and led by Executive Director Annetta Seecharran (since 2016), with a senior team that includes a Deputy Director and a Managing Director.

Name

CHHAYA Community Development

Legal name

Chhaya Community Development Corporation

Website

https://chhayacdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHHAYA Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that delivers housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, immigration legal help, financial counseling, and tax preparation to low-income South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant communities in Queens, NYC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Community development services
• Immigration legal services
• Housing counseling
• Financial counseling
• Civic engagement advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Chhaya CDC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: The organization receives government funding through contracts and grants from federal, state, and city agencies for housing counseling, immigration services, and community development programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chhaya CDC is a nonprofit community development corporation that provides free direct services across four pillars—Housing Justice (foreclosure prevention counseling, first-time homebuyer education, tenant advocacy), Economic Justice (Peer Lending Circles for credit building, financial counseling, small business support, free VITA tax preparation), Immigration (citizenship, DACA, TPS, green card renewals through the Action NYC legal network), and Civic Engagement (voter registration, candidate forums, census outreach). All services are delivered at no cost to low-income South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant clients in New York City, supplemented by policy advocacy campaigns on issues including basement apartment legalization, commercial rent stabilization, and public banking.

Product overview

CHHAYA Community Development is a nonprofit community development corporation offering direct social service programs rather than a software product platform. Its offerings consist of four core service areas: Housing Justice (first-time homebuyer programs, foreclosure prevention, tenant advocacy), Economic Justice (financial counseling, small business support, free tax preparation), Immigration Services (citizenship applications, green card renewals, DACA, TPS), and Civic Engagement (voter registration, candidate forums, census outreach). The organization runs several campaigns including the BASE Campaign for basement apartment legalization, Commercial Rent Stabilization advocacy, and Public Banks for the Public Good. All services are delivered directly to community members through in-person counseling, workshops, and community organizing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Justice Programs promoting and preserving affordable housing for low-income South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant clients in NYC through direct service, community organizing, and policy advocacy. Operates as a HUD-certified housing counseling agency offering pre-purchase and post-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, tenant organizing, and homeownership education.
• Economic Justice Services supporting community members to improve financial well-being, including Peer Lending Circles (credit building), individual financial counseling, education workshops, immigrant small business support, and free tax preparation. Delivered at Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill locations in culturally competent ways for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean clients.
• Immigration Services Immigrant services including citizenship applications, green card renewals, DACA renewals, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications, family petitions, adjustment of status, and fee waivers. Delivered through the Action NYC network providing free legal counseling by immigration attorneys at no cost to clients.
• Civic Engagement Programs promoting civic participation through voter registration, candidate forums, census outreach, community mobilization for local government engagement, and language interpretation services (Bengali, Urdu) at select poll sites during elections in partnership with the NYC Civic Engagement Commission.
• First-Time Homebuyer Program Education and confidential counseling for first-time homebuyers to make informed decisions, including information on down payment and closing cost assistance. Offered as in-person and virtual workshops for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community members.
• Foreclosure Prevention Program Foreclosure prevention counseling providing loan modifications, state and city program referrals, and foundation grants to reduce the financial burden of homeownership for low-income immigrant homeowners facing financial hardship.
• Tenant Advocacy Program Education on rental housing rights, prevention of illegal eviction tactics, tenant organizing, and affordable housing assistance including work with the Bangladeshi Tenant Union to address landlord accountability issues such as habitability violations and disrepair.
• BASE Campaign (Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone) Coalition campaign to increase the number of legally-recognized, affordable, and safe basement apartments and accessory dwelling units in New York City. Includes community organizations, advocates, tenants, and homeowners organizing for citywide legalization.
• Financial Counseling Individual financial counseling services at Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill locations, provided in culturally competent ways for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean clients seeking to improve financial well-being, manage debt, and plan for homeownership.
• Small Business Program Support for approximately 500 immigrant-owned and immigrant-serving South Asian and Indo-Caribbean businesses in Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill, including assistance with SBA loans, landlord issues, commercial rent challenges, and regulatory navigation (such as appealing DCWP fines).
• Free Tax Preparation (VITA Program) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program providing free tax preparation at the Richmond Hill Center for New Yorkers earning under $68,000 with dependents or under $65,000 without dependents, helping low-income clients claim refundable credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• Immigration Navigation Free immigration services including citizenship applications, green card renewals, DACA renewals, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications, family petitions, adjustment of status, and travel documents. Provided through the Action NYC network of free immigration legal service providers.
• Peer Lending Circle Program A community-based financial program where participants contribute monthly ($100 per member) to a pooled fund, with each member receiving loans in rotation to build consumer credit, establish banking relationships, and progress toward goals such as homeownership.
• Public Banks for the Public Good Campaign Coalition advocacy for public banking as an alternative to private banks, supporting socially and environmentally responsible public banks for affordable housing and small business investment. Operated as part of the Public Bank NYC Coalition.
• Commercial Rent Stabilization Campaign Advocacy for NYC Intro 1796 to create commercial rent stabilization, protecting small businesses from displacement due to exorbitant rent hikes. Operated as part of the United for Small Business NYC (USBNYC) Coalition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ immigrants helped through citizenship process
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Public Bank NYC CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya is a member of the Public Bank NYC Coalition advocating for public banking in New York City. The coalition works to ensure public money supports affordable housing, small businesses, renewable energy, and expands financial services in historically redlined communities.
• United for Small Business NYC (USBNYC) CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya is a member of USBNYC Coalition supporting commercial rent stabilization through Intro 1796. The coalition advocates for limits on commercial rent increases to protect small businesses and prevent displacement.
• BASE Coalition (Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya co-leads the BASE Coalition working to ensure basement apartments are safe, legal, and affordable. Coalition includes community organizations, advocates, tenants, and homeowners organizing for citywide legalization.
• Affordable Housing Coalition (East New York Coalition, East New York Community Land Trust, Pratt Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations calling on Governor Hochul to advance fair tax policies. advocating for progressive taxation to fund affordable housing and prevent displacement of working-class homeowners.
• Action NYC NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya participates in the Action NYC network providing free legal counseling to immigrant New Yorkers through immigration attorneys for citizenship, green card, DACA, and TPS cases.
• TakeRoot JusticeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChhaya connected small business clients to attorneys from TakeRoot Justice for legal representation in appealing fines from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
• Hive Public SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on revitalization of Lt. Frank McConnell Park in South Richmond Hill, Queens, focusing on making public space more accessible and beneficial for residents.
• StudioFōrminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Lt. McConnell Park revitalization project, contributing to inclusive urban development and community space enhancement.
• Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya is a member of ANHD, a coalition of community development organizations working to preserve affordable housing and promote equitable development in NYC neighborhoods.
• NYC Small Business ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NYC SBS on Jackson Heights Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA), produced together with the Street Vendor Project.
• Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChhaya was founded in October 2000 as an affiliate of AAFE, a 28-year-old leading community development organization serving Asian American populations in New York.
• APA VoiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with APA Voice to release Queens Borough President candidate surveys for electoral districts with significant South Asian and Indo-Caribbean populations.
• NYC Civic Engagement CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing language interpretation services including Bengali and Urdu at select poll sites during elections.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn/NYC nonprofit delivering housing, economic development, education, and immigration services to low-income New Yorkers. Comparable in scope of integrated direct-service programs and HUD counseling work.
• Make the Road New York: NYC-based community organization serving immigrant and working-class communities through integrated organizing, education, and survival services. Comparable in combining direct service delivery with policy advocacy on housing and immigrant rights.
• Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE): Chhaya's founding affiliate and parent organization. AAFE delivers parallel affordable housing, economic empowerment, and immigrant services across NYC's Asian American communities, making it the closest structural and operational peer.
• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC): NYC community development nonprofit offering housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, immigration legal services, and small business support. Highly comparable service mix and similar HUD-certified model.
• Minkwon Center for Community Action: NYC-based Asian American community organization delivering immigration legal services, civic engagement, and tenant organizing. Comparable ethnic-community specialization with a Brooklyn/Queens footprint.
• Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC): One of the largest Asian American social services organizations in NYC, providing housing, education, workforce, and immigration services. A strong peer given overlapping Asian-American community focus and similar integrated service model.

Emerging players

• New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC): Umbrella advocacy coalition for immigrant-serving organizations that helps coordinate immigration legal services networks like Action NYC (in which Chhaya participates). Comparable policy/advocacy orientation, though operates as a coordinating body rather than a direct service provider.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York: Much larger established social services provider across NYC and the Hudson Valley delivering housing, immigration, and case management. Comparable mission space but operates at far greater scale and breadth than Chhaya.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChhayaCDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 CHHAYA Community Development