Bickerdike was founded in 1967 by local residents, organizations, and religious institutions struggling against disinvestment, abandonment, and arson. Our work began with the development of affordable, single family homes and has since expanded to include a wide approach to community revitalization. Through affordable housing development and preservation, mission-driven property and asset management, economic development with a focus on jobs, comprehensive community planning and project implementation, grassroots leadership development and youth engagement, we improve the quality of life for, and with, low and moderate-income Latino and African American residents of Chicagos West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and Hermosa neighborhoods. We are a membership organization with nearly 900 individuals and 38 organizations who live and work in our communities, believe in our mission, and participate in all facets of our organizational operations. As one of the oldest and well established nonprofit community development organizations in Chicago, Bickerdike is nationally recognized as a model for grassroots community development. Over the years, we have received many recognitions for our work, including Fannie Mae Foundation's Maxwell Award for Excellence Program's Most Impressive Overall Housing Benefit and Enterprise Community Partners Jim and Patty Rouse Award for Excellence in Community Development.

In keeping with our mission, we are deeply dedicated to preserving the ethnic and cultural character of our neighborhoods, while struggling against gentrification and displacement, advocating for new resources, and improving the economic conditions of the community. Bickerdike is committed to the principles of honesty, openness, democratic process, education, involvement, and empowerment of community residents self-worth, self-respect, and pride. Collaboration with organizations who share a vision of the communitys collective struggle to control its own destiny is integral to our mission.

An award-winning grassroots Community Development Corporation (CDC), Bickerdike is improving the quality of life for, and with, low and moderate-income residents of Chicagos West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and Hermosa communities, while maintaining the culture and ethnic character of our neighborhoods. We positively impact thousands of residents annually through: Leadership Development and Grassroots Organizing: Bickerdike weaves the cultivation of leaders into all aspects of our work and gives volunteer leaders decision making roles. Additionally, Bickerdike brings together our Board, tenants, community residents and locally employed staff to work together in advocating for policy and systemic change at the neighborhood, city, and state level. Affordable Housing Development: Bickerdike has developed 1,075 units of innovative, quality, affordable housing, providing over 2500 residents with rental and co-op housing and as well as homeownership opportunities. We currently have two projects in development and another in the pipeline for a total of 201 units. Preservation Through Property and Asset Management: Bickerdikes resident-involved property management ensures our 879 rental and co-op units in 115 buildings remain high quality and affordable. We also pursue various asset management strategies to maintain the strength of our real estate portfolio. Economic Development with a Focus on Jobs: Bickerdike creates jobs for local residents through our wholly owned subsidiary, Humboldt Construction Company (HCC), our El Mercado anchor tenant, Cermak Produce, and through opportunities at Bickerdike. Technical Assistance and Housing Resources: As a Housing Resource Center (HRC) and Home Repair for Accessible and Independent Living (H-RAIL) delegate agency for the City of Chicago, Bickerdike reaches hundreds of local residents annually thorough technical assistance, workshops, housing information, referrals, carpentry repairs and adaptations. Comprehensive Community Planning and Implementation: As lead agency for the Humboldt Park New Communities Program (NCP), which is comprised of over 65 community organizations, Bickerdike facilitated project investment of over $46 million into the community over the last five years.