Housing Equity Initiative Empowers Woodlawn Families To Build Generational Wealth
our story
In Fall of 2021, Sunshine launched a new program to address these disparities within our Woodlawn community. The Housing Equity Initiative focuses on 3 areas of emphasis - retention, ownership, and revitalization aimed at supporting our neighbors in building assets for their families and investments in their community.
"We recognize that housing insecurity, high rents, and outstanding tax bills strain the quality of life for many African American homeowners. Homeownership is fundamental to family stability, health, and legacy/generational wealth creation, and we are striving, with collaborative efforts, to make this a reality."
- Kimberly Salley, Executive Director
"We recognize that housing insecurity, high rents, and outstanding tax bills strain the quality of life for many African American homeowners. Homeownership is fundamental to family stability, health, and legacy/generational wealth creation, and we are striving, with collaborative efforts, to make this a reality."
- Kimberly Salley, Executive Director
Home Buyer Readiness Program
“By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” -Proverbs 24:3-4
Our Home Buyer Readiness Program (HBRP) is designed to prepare potential homebuyers for purchasing a home. This program offers educational resources, workshops, and one-on-one counseling sessions to help potential homebuyers understand the various aspects of homeownership. HBRP covers budgeting, mortgage options, understanding credit scores, navigating home-buying, avoiding predatory lending, and maintaining a home. The goal is to empower those apprehensive about starting their homeownership journey by providing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and successfully navigate the complexities of buying a home. Please click below to inquire for more information.
Our Home Buyer Readiness Program (HBRP) is designed to prepare potential homebuyers for purchasing a home. This program offers educational resources, workshops, and one-on-one counseling sessions to help potential homebuyers understand the various aspects of homeownership. HBRP covers budgeting, mortgage options, understanding credit scores, navigating home-buying, avoiding predatory lending, and maintaining a home. The goal is to empower those apprehensive about starting their homeownership journey by providing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and successfully navigate the complexities of buying a home. Please click below to inquire for more information.
Home Buyer Readiness Program
“By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” -Proverbs 24:3-4
Our Home Buyer Readiness Program (HBRP) is designed to prepare potential homebuyers for purchasing a home. This program offers educational resources, workshops, and one-on-one counseling sessions to help potential homebuyers understand the various aspects of homeownership. HBRP covers budgeting, mortgage options, understanding credit scores, navigating home-buying, avoiding predatory lending, and maintaining a home. The goal is to empower those apprehensive about starting their homeownership journey by providing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and successfully navigate the complexities of buying a home. Please click below to inquire for more information.
Tax Benevolence
There are 20th Ward families that could lose their homes in Cook County's next property tax sale in early January 2024. In response to this urgent need, Sunshine Gospel Ministries has a Tax Sale Benevolence Program (TSP) in partnership with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
At no charge to you and no repayment needed, we provide a gift of benevolence to help you catch up on your outstanding 2022 property taxes, along with other support services. The goal is to prevent homeowners who have fallen behind on property tax payments from entering a downward financial spiral that can result in the loss of their homes — and the generational wealth they were building.
In addition to paying back taxes, Sunshine and The B.L.O.C.K. Movement will help homeowners with financial literacy, wealth creation, and estate planning.
At no charge to you and no repayment needed, we provide a gift of benevolence to help you catch up on your outstanding 2022 property taxes, along with other support services. The goal is to prevent homeowners who have fallen behind on property tax payments from entering a downward financial spiral that can result in the loss of their homes — and the generational wealth they were building.
In addition to paying back taxes, Sunshine and The B.L.O.C.K. Movement will help homeowners with financial literacy, wealth creation, and estate planning.
Tax Benevolence
There are 20th Ward families that could lose their homes in Cook County's next property tax sale in early January 2024. In response to this urgent need, Sunshine Gospel Ministries has a Tax Sale Benevolence Program (TSP) in partnership with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
At no charge to you and no repayment needed, we provide a gift of benevolence to help you catch up on your outstanding 2022 property taxes, along with other support services. The goal is to prevent homeowners who have fallen behind on property tax payments from entering a downward financial spiral that can result in the loss of their homes — and the generational wealth they were building.
In addition to paying back taxes, Sunshine and The B.L.O.C.K. Movement will help homeowners with financial literacy, wealth creation, and estate planning.
In addition to paying back taxes, Sunshine and The B.L.O.C.K. Movement will help homeowners with financial literacy, wealth creation, and estate planning.
Retention
For families that own their homes but owe back taxes, the Tax Sale Benevolence Program is able to financially assist so their homes are not lost to the Tax Sale. Since the inception of the program in 2021, we have assisted with 3 tax sales and we are preparing families for the 2024 tax and scavenger sale in January.
Ownership
Working with community partners, we offer mortgage and financial literacy building classes that flow into a down payment assistance program for individuals and families throughout Woodlawn who seek to own a home in our community and build their generational wealth.
Revitalization
There are currently many vacant properties in the Woodlawn community. Through our efforts to rehabilitate existing homes as well as build truly affordable housing on current land, we are investing in the long-term viability of the neighborhood.
Equity By Numbers
2022 Median
Household Net Worth
There is an enormous disparity between the wealth of Black and white Americans. According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median white household has a net worth of $285,000 10 times the net worth of the median Black household, $44,900
Chicagoland Metro
Homeownership Comparison
In Chicagoland Metro, 44% of black families own homes compared to 73% of white families. In Woodlawn, only 24% of the predominantly black community own their homes, while 76% rent.
