Connecting Capital and Community (3C)

3C Chicago is a collaborative initiative between lenders, developers, and community navigators that aims to give Chicagoans a smoother path to homeownership in two West Side communities: East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park.

Building Wealth Through Homeownership

Gentrification and displacement are threats to Chicago’s underinvested communities, which are predominantly Black and Latine. People who call these communities home and want to stay need more affordable housing options. With a focus on East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park, 3C is addressing barriers to homeownership and supporting the quality of life for homeowners and all of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

There are a lot of reasons why buying a home is hard, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Join us now to chart a new path for housing across Chicago.

What is 3C Chicago?

3C Chicago is part of a national initiative (Connecting Capital and Community) working alongside a five-city cohort to strengthen local investments, challenge inequities, and increase equitable housing opportunities. This program is made possible through initial funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, and the Polk Bros. Foundation.

The 3C Chicago Team

Making Room for Innovation

3C unites a diverse network of residents, community organizations, and partners from private, public and philanthropic sectors, convened by The Chicago Community Trust. Together, they work to improve opportunities to pursue wealth building through homeownership in long underinvested communities in Chicago, Humboldt Park and East Garfield Park.

This collaborative leverages its experience and funding to create supply and demand solutions for homebuyers in East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park, shaping a new homeownership model for Chicago that can be scaled across other communities.

Investment Priorities

3C’s goal is to build wealth for people in underinvested communities through homeownership. Our shared investment priorities are:

  • Expanding affordable inventory.

  • Supporting a pipeline of borrowers.

  • Promoting equitable access to capital.

Intended Outcomes

East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park have established homeownership efforts, strong community leaders, and coordinated infrastructure and economic development investments. In these neighborhoods, we are aiming for:

  • Expanded development of affordable, single-family and two-flat homes on publicly owned vacant parcels​.

  • Residents who are empowered and supported to purchase homes.

  • A new mortgage product that is affordable, flexible, and increases purchasing power for low and moderate-income families.

3C Resources

3C Homeownership Counseling Partners | Contact Sheet

Learn more about how to become a homeowner by reaching out to any of these partners.

Download the PDF

3C Homes For-Sale

Learn more about the homes available and upcoming open houses.

Download the PDF

The Latest from 3C

3C Chicago Partners

Our Work

The Trust brings together generous donors, committed organizations, and caring residents to effect lasting change that makes our region better for all.

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Partnerships & Initiatives

Through the years, the Trust has created many types of initiatives to help our region—and its foundations, businesses, civic leaders, and individuals—most effectively engage with the issues they care about.

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