Housing Opportunities for Women

What Housing Opportunities for Women does

Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW), founded in 1983 and headquartered in Chicago, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and wraparound support services to women, children, and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across the Chicagoland area, including Evanston. The organization serves approximately 1,500 clients per year (1,482 people across 715 households in 2025), with outcomes including a 91% positive-destination rate among households exiting programs and a 99% twelve-month housing retention rate (2024). HOW owns and operates four affordable housing properties and delivers a portfolio of specialized programs: HOPWA housing for individuals living with HIV/AIDS (34 scattered-site units plus expanded services reaching an additional 50 households annually through the Chicago Department of Public Health), the Families In Transition (FIT) program serving 36 Englewood-attending families in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, Rapid Rehousing serving ~42 individuals/families annually via All Chicago, the HOW Employment Program (HEP) covering job readiness, GED, financial literacy, and job placement, Youth and Families Services (after-school academic coaching, Saturday teen program, developmental screening), and Wellness Services including health insurance enrollment (1,400+ clients in 2024) and Medicaid (74% client reliance). Service delivery is grounded in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and asset-based case management.

HOW has no proprietary technology stack; operations run on standard nonprofit case-management processes and a Wix-hosted website. The revenue model is exclusively philanthropic and governmental: individual donations (including a Monthly Giving Society), corporate and foundation grants (with Deloitte and Health Preservation Services as Benefactor-level sponsors), government contracts via HUD Continuum of Care, HOPWA, Chicago Department of Public Health, the Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund (25 units subsidized), and DFSS, plus fundraising events and seasonal in-kind donation drives (Spring Cleaning, Back 2 School, Winter Coat, Holiday Toy). Critically, all client services are provided free of charge. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (chaired by Urvi Shah) and an Associate Board, with leadership under CEO Britt Shawver, and is entirely donor/government-funded with no venture or institutional investment.

Name

Housing Opportunities for Women

Legal name

Housing Opportunities for Women Inc.

Website

https://how-inc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1983, that delivers permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, employment, and youth services to ~1,500 women, children, and families annually across Chicagoland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Affordable Supportive Housing

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Affordable supportive housing
• Case management services
• Housing first programs
• Homelessness prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute one-time or recurring monthly gifts. The organization operates a Monthly Giving Society with various donation levels. Year-end campaigns and seasonal appeals (Home for the Holidays) target individual supporters.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: HOW receives funding from corporate sponsors, foundations, and institutional donors for specific programs and operational support.
3. Government Contracts: HOW receives federal and state funding through HUD Continuum of Care (COC) funds, Chicago Department of Public Health, and partnerships with city agencies for housing and support services.
4. Fundraising Events: The organization hosts annual fundraising events including luncheons, galas, and community events to raise awareness and funds.
5. In-Kind Donations: HOW accepts in-kind donations including cleaning supplies, school supplies, winter coats, holiday toys, and other necessities for clients through organized donation drives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Housing Opportunities for Women is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides affordable supportive housing, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and wraparound case management services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Chicagoland area. The organization combines housing placement with employment training, healthcare coordination (including HIV/AIDS case management), and youth/family support services. Services are delivered free of charge through four owned affordable housing properties and two office locations on Chicago's north and south sides.

Product overview

Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 that offers a portfolio of homeless prevention and housing programs serving Chicagoland. The core offerings include Affordable Supportive Housing (permanent supportive housing for individuals with disabilities), Homelessness Prevention services, the HOW Employment Program (HEP) for job readiness and placement, Youth and Families Services with academic coaching and enrichment, and Wellness Services including health care coordination. HOW also operates specialized programs: HOPWA for individuals with HIV/AIDS, the FIT program for families in transition, Rapid Rehousing, and new Affordable Housing units in Evanston. The organization complements its housing and supportive services with In-Kind Donation Drives (four annual drives for cleaning supplies, school items, winter coats, and holiday toys) and a Monthly Giving Society for recurring donors. The overall model combines affordable housing with case management and wraparound support services to help clients achieve housing stability, employment, and long-term wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homelessness Prevention Programs and services that help individuals and families avoid homelessness through crisis management, housing placement, psychological support, and connections to funding and service providers. Available free of charge to eligible clients in Chicagoland.
• Affordable Supportive Housing Permanent supportive housing with rental subsidies for individuals with disabilities and families; clients pay 30% of income toward rent with no time limit on participation. Provided free of charge to eligible clients through HOW's owned properties and partner-subsidized units.
• HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) Housing program providing 34 scattered site units and services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
• Families in Transition (FIT) Program serving 36 families whose children attend school in Englewood with housing location assistance, case management, and employment services. Provided in partnership with Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund, Chicago Public Schools, and other agencies.
• Rapid Rehousing Time-limited housing program (24 months) targeted to people experiencing literal homelessness, serving approximately 42 individuals and families annually through the All Chicago partnership.
• Affordable Housing (Evanston Property) New construction completed in 2019 offering 16 units (eight one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments) in Evanston, Illinois, with case management and referral information as needed.
• HOW Employment Program (HEP) Employment services including Job Readiness Training, GED courses, financial literacy workshops, and job fair events to help clients achieve economic growth and success in the workplace.
• Youth and Families Services Two-generational programming including after-school academic coaching, enrichment activities, Saturday teen program, referrals to tutoring and after-school programs, and child developmental screening questionnaires.
• Wellness Services Health Care Coordination Program offering expertise in public benefits, intensive case management for persons living with AIDS or HIV, and maintenance of medically complex clients.
• Wraparound Support Services Comprehensive case management with assigned case managers working with clients to develop Service Plans with short- and long-term goals, using harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and asset-based principles.
• In-Kind Donation Drives Four annual donation drives: Spring Cleaning Drive (April-May) for cleaning supplies, Back 2 School Drive (June-July) for school supplies, Winter Coat Drive (October-November) for coats and winter gear, and Holiday Toy Drive (December) for toys for all ages.
• Monthly Giving Society Recurring donation program offering monthly giving options with benefits including convenient charges, regular updates, special event discounts, exclusive invitations, and annual tax statements.
• Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts Charitable bequest or planned gift program that provides affordable housing, support, and tools for women, children, and families to rebuild their lives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of households exiting programs reached a positive destination (2025)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered benefactor, partner, core and minor.

• DeloittebenefactorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for HOW events and programs. Listed as a Benefactor-level sponsor for the annual luncheon panel event.
• Health Preservation Services (HPS)benefactorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for HOW events. Listed as a Benefactor-level sponsor for the annual luncheon panel event.
• Illinois Healthy Communities (IHCC)partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization. Listed as a Partner-level sponsor for HOW events.
• Urban InnovationspartnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting HOW's mission. Listed as a Partner-level sponsor.
• Chicago Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS) funding and services. Partnership expanded in 2019 to provide specialized services to additional households.
• AIDS Foundation of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner for HOPWA housing and services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Provides 34 scattered site units.
• All ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Rapid Rehousing program starting in 2022. All Chicago provides funding for rapid rehousing services targeting people experiencing literal homelessness.
• Chicago Low Income Housing Trust FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for FIT program and prevention services. Provides rental subsidies and funding for housing assistance. HOW serves 25 units subsidized by CLIHTF.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the FIT (Families In Transition) program. CPS identifies families with children experiencing homelessness for housing and support services.
• Illinois Department of Family Support Services (DFSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer funder of Families Two (PHwSS) transitional housing, now transitioned to Rapid Rehousing through All Chicago partnership.
• Chicago Coalition for the HomelessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner in the FIT program collaboration working to address family homelessness in Chicago.
• Hubbard InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue host for HOW Associate Board Summer Social and other events.
• PALMHOUSE EvanstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer fair host where HOW Associate Board connected with prospective volunteers.
• The NativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue host for HOW Associate Board coat drive.
• The Long RoomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue for HOW holiday brunch fundraiser.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inspiration Corporation: Chicago nonprofit offering housing, workforce development, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty; closely comparable integrated service model.
• A Safe Haven: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, workforce development, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness; comparable wraparound service approach in the Chicagoland market.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and substance use services to people with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness; directly comparable wraparound service model and Chicagoland service area.
• Sarah's Circle: Chicago nonprofit serving women experiencing homelessness through interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and case management; directly comparable client population and service delivery model.
• Deborah's Place: Chicago nonprofit offering supportive housing and services for women experiencing homelessness; closely comparable target population (women) and supportive housing model in the same geography.

Regional players

• Connections for the Homeless: Evanston-area nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and services for people experiencing homelessness; adjacent Chicagoland geography and overlapping supportive housing model.

Emerging players

• All Chicago: Chicago collaborative funder and partner for Rapid Rehousing and homelessness initiatives; an active HOW partner that also coordinates funding across the city's homelessness ecosystem.
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Long-standing HOW partner that funds HOPWA scattered-site units; comparable HIV/AIDS housing mission in the same Chicagoland region, though operating more as funder/coordinator.
• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago advocacy and direct-service organization addressing family homelessness; HOW's FIT program partner, operating in overlapping policy and service territory with a research/advocacy angle.

Broad incumbents

• Housing Action Illinois: Statewide Illinois housing coalition and advocacy organization; broader in scope than HOW but operating in the affordable housing and homelessness policy space across overlapping geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HOWEmpowering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/how-empowering/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/how_empowering
• Xx.com/HOWempowering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Housing Opportunities for Women