The Chicago Rehab Network works to increase and preserve the affordable housing supply in the greater Chicago metro area by strengthening the capacity of its member CDC's to produce units of affordable housing; by advocating for public policies supportive of affordable housing production, particularly by nonprofits; and by providing leadership, information, research, and communications on affordable housing issues. CRN provides professional development and technical assistance to members and other affordable housing stakeholders; provides prevailing best practices and policy research; organizes and co-organizes issues campaigns; produces public information; and provides leadership in keeping affordable housing on the public, private and philanthropic agenda. The Chicago Rehab Network is a multi-cultural, multi-racial, coalition of community-based organizations which revitalize neighborhoods primarily through the development and rehabilitation of housing for low income and special need populations controlled by low-income community residents.

CRN and its members are dedicated to empowering communities without displacement and to building a strong affordable and accessible housing development movement in Chicago, throughout Illinois, and across the nation. CRN strives to meet the needs and promote the common goals of its members which foster socially and economically viable communities.

As the climate of the housing market continues to worsen, the work of the Chicago Rehab Network become increasingly important. In the past year the focus of our work has shifted to technical assistance and advocacy programs that assure CDC's have the capacity needed to take on large projects and make a sincere impact on the housing and foreclosure crisis, and to assure that their capacity is lifted and understood by decision makers who determine who is granted resources and who will make the impact on affordable housing. Our work within the community development field not only draws attention to affordability, but creates capacity within the field and gets results. Through membership meetings, community forums and neighborhood events we are able to listen to the issues, strategize, and create real solutions, leading to a significant, coordinated impact on community revitalization and the strengthening of Chicago neighborhoods. Our work is informed and supported by our relationships with on the ground, experienced organizations and individuals, providing a relationship and practice based service citywide, which would not be possible without the input of low-income individuals. Through these relationships we seek to advance policies which create affordable communities and to prioritize bottom-up efforts which align with our mission.