Far South Community Development

What Far South Community Development does

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1977 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, where it serves the Far South Side. Its predecessor entity, Genesis Housing Development Corporation, was established in 1997; the two entities now operate as part of a unified CDC structure. The organization's service lines span HUD-certified housing counseling, small business development through the Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC), Special Service Area #45 corridor management, commercial real estate rental, and large-scale mixed-use real estate development. Far South CDC controls 44,457 square feet of commercial retail space and serves as the administrative agent for the ~95-acre Roseland Medical District, positioning it as both a service provider and a real estate operator in one of Chicago's most chronically disinvested corridors.

The revenue model combines federal, state, and municipal grants and contracts (HUD, IHDA, City of Chicago, BACP), philanthropic contributions, and commercial rental income from owned retail properties. Programs are delivered through a delegate network of approximately 70 partner agencies (via the NBDC), in-house HUD counselors, SSA #45 streetscape services, and capital projects executed with co-developers including DL3 Realty, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), UCAN Chicago, and JGMA. The active development pipeline exceeds one million square feet and includes Downtown West Pullman (101+ acres), Morgan Park Commons (244 units), 1 Fifteen Michigan Station at a future CTA Red Line Extension station, and Willow Pointe (221 units in Calumet City). Pricing for resident-facing services is largely free or subsidized; small-business services are delivered through public contracts rather than fee-for-service pricing; commercial tenants pay market rents in the CDC-owned marketplace.

Strategic positioning is built on geographic concentration in a single disinvested urban corridor, durable public-sector funding relationships, and integration of service delivery with real estate development under a single organizational umbrella. Recent moves include designation as a "Missing Middle" developer for Morgan Park, the addition of UCAN Chicago youth services at Maple Park Marketplace, and the launch of a full-service grocery store in West Pullman scheduled for Spring 2027. External recognition has been consistent across 2022, 2023, and 2024, including awards from the Cook County Land Bank Authority, the Illinois State Treasurer, and Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon.

Name

Far South Community Development

Legal name

Far South Community Development Corporation

Website

https://farsouthcdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Far South Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit CDC serving Chicago's Far South Side, providing HUD-certified housing counseling, small business support, SSA #45 corridor management, commercial real estate, and large-scale mixed-use development for low-to-moderate income communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Community development services
• Housing counseling services
• Small business assistance
• Real estate development
• Urban planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Contracts: Funding from federal, state, and local government agencies including HUD, IHDA, City of Chicago for housing counseling, community development, and economic development programs. Also receives grants from foundations.
2. Commercial Property Rental Income: Rental income from Maple Park Marketplace retail center (44,457 SF) and other commercial properties at 115th and Halsted streets including office and retail spaces.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations, annual fundraiser events, and Giving Tuesday campaigns to support community programs and development initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Far South CDC provides HUD-certified housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, and home repair assistance to low-to-moderate income residents. It also operates small business development support, commercial property leasing through Maple Park Marketplace, corridor management via Special Service Area #45, regional planning services, and large-scale mixed-use real estate development projects on Chicago's Far South Side.

Product overview

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing comprehensive community development services rather than a unified software product. Its service portfolio operates as interconnected programs: the NBDC and Marketplace provide business development support; Residential Support and Community Grants deliver housing assistance; Special Service Area #45 manages commercial corridor services; and development programs (Mixed-Use, Mega Projects, Recreation, Commercial Properties) drive equitable real estate development. Regional Planning Services supports strategic development across Chicago's far south side. Together these services aim to alleviate poverty and economic distress in low-to-moderate income communities through direct assistance and equitable development initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• POP! Heights Park: Public park redevelopment project, the first new park on South Halsted in over 50 years, completed in 2022.
• Morgan Park Commons
• Far South CDC Marketplace
• Juneteenth Festival

Products and services

• Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) A City of Chicago BACP delegate agency providing no-cost hyper-local business development assistance to entrepreneurs on Chicago's Far South Side, including confidential counseling, technical assistance, licensing guidance, access to capital, and workforce development support.
• Far South CDC Marketplace An incubator-style retail space program at 849 West 115th Street, Chicago, that provides physical retail storefronts for early-stage Black-owned small businesses to showcase goods and services as part of the City of Chicago's Storefront Activation Program.
• Residential Support and Housing Services HUD-approved housing counseling services including foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, financial coaching, rental assistance, and the IHDA Home Repair and Accessibility Program (HRAP) for low-to-moderate income homeowners on Chicago's Far South Side.
• Community Development Grants Facilitates access to grant programs including the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), Facade Enhancement Grants, and City of Chicago Community Development Grants for eligible commercial and mixed-use projects in Far South Side communities.
• Special Service Area #45 (SSA45) A local tax district providing enhanced services for 27 blocks along South Halsted Street including public way maintenance, district marketing, business retention, security, and facade improvements.
• Roseland Medical District Administration Administrative support organization managing operations and programs for the 95-acre Roseland Community Medical District, created to attract academic medical centers, healthcare facilities, medical research, and high-tech enterprises to the far south side of Chicago.
• Mixed-Use Real Estate Development Mixed-use development projects adding housing density along commercial corridors including Morgan Park Commons (244 residential units with retail and recreation), The Rise on Halsted (42-unit live/work development), 1 Fifteen Michigan Station, and Willow Pointe in Park Forest (221 units).
• Mega Project Real Estate Development Large-scale revitalization initiatives including Downtown West Pullman (101+ acres), North Main Street Commons, and South Riverfront developments executed as part of the Bringing Communities Back Initiative targeting over 1 million square feet.
• Recreation and Parks Development Public park development and enhancement including POP! Heights Park (completed 2022), Morgan Park Commons recreation facility (113,300 SF), Lakewood Plaza Recreation Center, and Major Taylor Trail improvements.
• Commercial Properties Development Office, retail, and industrial space development including Jackie Robinson Village, 115 Marketplace Social, iKohn Campus (136,036 SF light industrial and office), and the historic Roseland Theater redevelopment, alongside Maple Park Marketplace (44,457 SF).
• Regional Planning Services Strategic planning including the 95th Street Corridor Plan (ETOD), South Halsted Land Use & Zoning Framework Plan, CTA Red Line Extension Transit Supportive Development Plan, Major Taylor Trail Framework Plan, 119th Street Corridor Plan, and the Roseland Community Medical District Master Plan.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million square feet of real estate development planned through Bringing Communities Back Initiative
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• LISC ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community development initiatives including recognition for Roseland Community Medical District Master Plan (CNDA Awards 2024). LISC Chicago supports neighborhood development programs and equitable development planning.
• Chicago Community TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-awarding body for Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards recognizing outstanding community plans including Roseland Medical District Master Plan.
• Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Neighborhood Business Development Center as BACP delegate agency. Far South CDC provides business licensing, permitting guidance, and specialized support services through NBDC network of 70+ delegate agencies.
• DL3 RealtycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner for Morgan Park Commons mixed-use development. Co-leading Roseland Community Medical District planning with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
• POAH Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreservation of Affordable Housing partner for Morgan Park Commons development providing 244 residential units and 20,000 SF recreation.
• Lamar Johnson CollaborativemajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm for Morgan Park Commons. Also developed Jackie Robinson South Halsted District Plan intersection design.
• Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill ArchitecturemajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm partnering with DL3 Realty and Far South CDC on Roseland Community Medical District Master Plan.
• JGMAmajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm for Downtown West Pullman 101-acre redevelopment project.
• Gensler & BeehyyvemajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firms for 1 Fifteen Michigan Station mixed-use development adjacent to CTA Red Line Extension.
• Latent Design CorporationmajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm for The Rise on Halsted 42-unit mixed-use development with live/work units.
• Yu & Associates CollaborativemajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm for Willow Pointe 221-unit mixed-use development with recreation center in Park Forest, Illinois.
• Seek ArchitecturemajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm for Morgan Park Commons Recreation Facility (113,300 SF).
• Teska AssociatesmajorTechnology or IntegrationPlanning firm for Major Taylor Trail Framework Plan housing infill from 104th to 125th and 119th Street Corridor Plan.
• CMAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning partnership for 119th Street Corridor Plan development.
• Chicago Neighborhood InitiativesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for 1 Fifteen Michigan Station 171-unit mixed-use development at CTA Red Line station.
• The Hope Center FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for 1 Fifteen Michigan Station mixed-use development.
• Sheldon Heights Church of ChristmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based partner for The Rise on Halsted 42-unit mixed-use development.
• Roseland Medical District CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFar South CDC serves as administrative support organization for the 95-acre Roseland Community Medical District managing operations and programs.
• CARPLSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CARPLS attorneys to offer free Transfer on Death Instruments (TODI) and estate planning consultations for community members.
• SomercormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) on City's behalf. Far South CDC connects businesses to SBIF grants covering 30-90% of remodeling costs up to $150,000-$250,000.
• YWCA ChicagominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant at Maple Park Marketplace Unit 839 providing community services for women and families.
• Pullman Bank & Trust CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanking tenant at Maple Park Marketplace Units 859-61 serving the community.
• Chicago State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 95th Street Corridor Plan (ETOD) and economic development planning. Located near Roseland Medical District area.
• Endeleo InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in 95th Street Corridor Plan development with City of Chicago and CTA.
• Chicago Transit AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CTA Red Line Extension transit-supportive development planning. Far South CDC developed RLE Transit Supportive Development Plan for communities near future stations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH): National nonprofit affordable housing developer and preservation specialist. POAH is a named partner on Far South CDC's Morgan Park Commons project and operates a similar mixed-use, mixed-income development model serving low-income communities.
• The Resurrection Project: Chicago-based community development organization focused on Pilsen and Little Village. Operates a comparable integrated model of housing counseling, small business support, real estate development, and policy advocacy for Latino and immigrant communities — directly comparable to Far South CDC's structure.
• Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI): Chicago-based community development organization pursuing large-scale commercial and mixed-use revitalization in disinvested neighborhoods. CNI is already a named development partner with Far South CDC on the 1 Fifteen Michigan Station project, making it the closest operational peer.
• Hispanic Housing Development Corporation: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, and affordable housing development in Latino communities. Comparable programmatic structure to Far South CDC's Genesis Housing Services subsidiary.
• Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC): Chicago West Side CDO combining affordable housing development, business support, and community planning. Operates a similar faith-rooted, multi-program community development model in a chronically disinvested Chicago neighborhood.
• LUCHA (Latino United Community Housing Association): Chicago CDO providing affordable housing development, housing counseling, and community organizing in Humboldt Park and surrounding areas. Operates a similar HUD-credentialed counseling plus real estate development model.
• Greater Southwest Development Corporation: Chicago-based CDO serving Southwest Side neighborhoods with housing counseling, commercial corridor management, and real estate development — a geographically adjacent peer with comparable program offerings and HUD-credentialed services.
• Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation: Chicago-based nonprofit affordable housing and community development organization serving West Town/Humboldt Park. Comparable in scale, mission, and integrated housing + commercial development focus.

Broad incumbents

• West Side United: Chicago collaborative of healthcare institutions, CDOs, and businesses driving economic development on the West Side. Comparable in mission focus on health-and-economic disparities but operates as a coalition rather than direct service provider.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago: National CDFI and community development intermediary operating the Chicago office that funds CDOs, including recognizing Far South CDC's Roseland Medical District plan with a 2024 award. LISC is both a peer (funder/peer CDO) and a funder to Far South CDC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/farsouthsidecdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/FarSouthCdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farsouthcommunitydevelopmentcorporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Far South Community Development