California Lutheran Homes

What California Lutheran Homes does

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is an independent nonprofit social ministry organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Glendale, California, that provides funding, affordable housing support, and human services assistance to vulnerable populations in Southern California. CLH operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including an Affordable Housing Loan Program offering construction, pre-development, and bridge financing; a Property Ownership Program in which CLH purchases and renovates real estate and rents it to vetted nonprofit partners for $10/month for office, program, and housing space; Charitable Care for Seniors facing financial hardship; Congregational Consultation for ELCA and LCMS churches; and the Living the Resurrection congregational vitality program subsidized for small-to-medium congregations.

CLH's service footprint spans more than 600 affordable housing units across Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Orange counties, with documented deployment of a $2.79 million construction loan to Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (November 2024), up to $500,000 of pre-development funding enabling an $18 million FHA-insured package for Hollywood West, and the Grace Village and Grace Village II senior housing developments (58+ units) in partnership with the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara. Named partners include Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation, OC United, HomeAid, Caring Housing Ministries (Front Porch), Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, and the Pacifica and Southwest California synods of the ELCA.

The organization is governed by a five-pastor-and-lay-leader board chaired by Robert Chillison, with Deacon Nancy Ackerman serving as President and CEO since December 2021. CLH employs 1–10 staff and is funded through donations from individuals, congregations, and organizations, supplemented by interest income on its loan portfolio and nominal rental receipts. CLH holds membership in Lutheran Services in America, a network coordinating more than 300 independent Lutheran health and human service organizations. The organization has no parent company, no venture capital backing, and operates without a technology product or app surface.

Name

California Lutheran Homes

Legal name

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services

Website

https://californialutheranhomes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

California Lutheran Homes is a Glendale-based nonprofit foundation founded in 1947 that provides affordable housing loans, owns properties rented to nonprofit partners at $10/month, and supports vulnerable populations including foster youth, seniors, and people with disabilities across Southern California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Affordable Housing and Human Services Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH)

Keywords

• Affordable housing loans
• Nonprofit foundation
• Human services funding
• Congregational support
• Senior housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CLH receives donations from individuals, congregations, and organizations to fund affordable housing initiatives, human services programs, and congregational support.
2. Loan Program Interest Income: CLH provides affordable housing loans including construction loans, pre-development loans, and bridge financing. Interest income from these loans supports operational costs.
3. Property Rental Income: CLH owns properties rented to nonprofit partners for $10/month, providing office space, program space, and housing for former foster youth and other populations in need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

California Lutheran Homes provides affordable housing loans (construction, pre-development, bridge financing), owns and rents properties to nonprofit partners at $10/month for office, programming, and housing space, and offers charitable care and congregational vitality programs. It supports vulnerable populations including low-income families, people with disabilities, former foster youth, seniors, and veterans through partnerships with congregations, community organizations, and local agencies across Southern California.

Product overview

California Lutheran Homes Foundation and Community Services is an independent not-for-profit social ministry organization offering a portfolio of affordable housing and human services programs. The organization operates primarily through six interconnected programs: the Affordable Housing Loan Program (providing construction and pre-development financing), the Property Ownership Programs (renting properties to nonprofits for $10/month to serve former foster youth and other vulnerable populations), Charitable Care for Seniors (supporting seniors who have outlived their assets), Congregational Consultation (assisting churches with strategic alternatives), and the Living the Resurrection Vitality Program (subsidized planning support for congregations). The organization does not operate a technology product; its offerings are grant-making, loan programs, and property-based services delivered through partnerships with congregations, community-based organizations, and local agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable Housing Loan Program Provides construction, pre-development, and bridge financing loans to support affordable housing development for low-income families with children, people with developmental disabilities, chronic mental illness, and mobility and hearing impairments.
• Former Foster Youth Program From funding scholarships to providing homes for young people, CLH supports underserved former foster youth through partnerships with organizations such as Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation and OC United.
• Property Ownership Program CLH purchases and owns properties that are rented to nonprofit partners for $10 a month for office space, program space, and housing units serving vulnerable populations.
• Charitable Care for Seniors Provides life-enhancing benefits and programs to seniors in need who have outlived their assets, allowing them to continue enjoying security and comfort in CLH Foundation-sponsored legacy retirement communities.
• Congregational Consultation Provides pre-development, bridge, or construction funding consultation services for congregations and organizations undertaking housing projects, including due diligence reviews, site visits, and formal board approval.
• Living the Resurrection Vitality Program Subsidized congregational vitality program that helps churches explore their passions and struggles through eight workshops over 18 months, supporting sustainability and future planning for small-to-medium-sized Southern California congregations.
• Grace Village Senior Affordable Housing CLH-developed low-income senior affordable housing site in Santa Barbara providing 58 units with 60+ residents on the legacy site of the former Grace Lutheran Church.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ affordable housing units provided across Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Orange counties
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• OC UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOC United provides resources and support for those who have intersected with the foster care system through RESPITE and THRIVE programs. CLH provides a property leased to OC United for $10/month. The four-plex unit can house up to 20 former foster youth and their families.
• The Biddy Mason Charitable FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation provides quality services and support to current and former foster youth. CLH provides a property leased to BMCF for $10/month, enabling the foundation to expand its programs for former foster youth.
• HomeAidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeAid provides safe and dignified housing for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. CLH partnered with HomeAid on both the OC United Thrive Quad and the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation development projects.
• Housing Authority of the City of Santa BarbaramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara provides safe, decent, and quality affordable housing and supportive services. CLH provided pre-development funding for Johnson Court and Grace Village developments.
• Lutheran Services in AmericamajorOthersCLH is a member of Lutheran Services in America, a not-for-profit corporation that coordinates the work of more than 300 independent Lutheran health and human service organizations affiliated with the ELCA or the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS strengthens communities by developing and maintaining quality affordable housing. CLH provided a pre-development loan for the Manchester Urban property.
• Hollywood West Tenant Action CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding housing options for low-income families and individuals. CLH provided up to $500,000 for pre-development work, enabling an $18 million FHA insured loan package.
• Front PorchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFront Porch is a not-for-profit family of communities and partnerships offering exceptional service at senior living, adult living, and affordable housing communities. CLH collaborates on affordable housing initiatives.
• Caring Housing MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Front Porch, CARING Housing Ministries provides effective management and committed staff with a network of partners to deliver heartfelt housing options. CLH granted pre-development loans for many affordable housing projects.
• Pacifica Synod, ELCAminorOthersThe Pacifica Synod includes the state of Hawaii and portions of Southern California. CLH provides funding for congregations within this synod.
• Southwest Synod, ELCAminorOthersThe Southwest California Synod includes all or portions of Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. CLH provides funding for congregations within this synod.
• Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSSNC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLH provided a $2.79 million construction loan to LSSNC so it could qualify for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Portfolio Reinvestment Program to renovate 24 affordable housing units for homeless youth and former foster youth in Stockton.
• Living the ResurrectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLH subsidizes the cost of Living the Resurrection vitality program to help congregations in the Southwest California and Pacifica synods of the ELCA and the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS explore passions and struggles and develop momentum for change.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• HomeAid America: Nonprofit builder-focused organization developing housing for the homeless; CLH board treasurer Scott Larson serves as CEO of HomeAid America, and the two organizations actively co-develop projects (e.g., Biddy Mason House). Highly comparable nonprofit affordable housing developer with similar partnership-driven model.
• National Church Residences: Faith-based nonprofit providing affordable senior housing and supportive services nationwide. Mirrors CLH's faith-affiliated approach and senior housing emphasis, including serving low-income seniors through owned and partner-operated communities.
• Abode Communities: California-based nonprofit affordable housing developer serving low-income families, seniors, and special needs populations across Southern California. Directly comparable to CLH in geography, mission, and target populations, though focused on direct development rather than capital provision.
• Mercy Housing: National faith-based nonprofit that develops and operates affordable housing across the U.S., with deep experience in senior, family, and supportive housing. Closely comparable to CLH in mission, faith-rooted identity, and affordable housing focus, though materially larger in scale and geographic footprint.
• Front Porch Communities and Services: California-based nonprofit operating senior living, affordable housing, and supportive services. CLH collaborates with Front Porch on affordable housing initiatives and shares board leadership (Robert Chillison chairs both organizations), making this a directly comparable peer.

Regional players

• Self-Help Enterprises: California-based nonprofit affordable housing developer serving the San Joaquin Valley and rural communities. Comparable in mission and California regional focus to CLH, though operating in a different geography (Central Valley vs. Southern California) with direct development rather than capital provision.

Others

• National Equity Fund: Leading Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) syndicator where CLH's Loan Closer Patricia Norum previously served as VP and Deputy General Counsel. Relevant as an enabling infrastructure peer that CLH-funded developers can access to scale LIHTC-financed projects.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit building and financing affordable homeownership. Comparable in mission and faith-rooted origins but operates at massive scale through a broad affiliate model rather than CLH's regional foundation-and-partnership approach.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit operating across affordable housing development, capital deployment, and policy advocacy with multibillion-dollar impact. Comparable in mission to CLH but operates at vastly greater scale across multiple geographies and capital tools.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): Large national community development financial institution deploying capital and technical assistance for affordable housing and economic development. Comparable to CLH in providing catalytic capital for affordable housing but at much greater scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-lutheran-homes-and-community-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 California Lutheran Homes