By Dana Bykowski
December 8, 2003

The Nehemiah Corporation of California, the nation's leading privately funded provider of down payment gift assistance, donated $10,000 to Chicago's Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) to help fund their Canaan Homes development — a local program committed to building 25 single-family homes for working families in Chicago's Lawndale Community through the Nehemiah Community Foundation, the organization's charitable giving arm. The donation was presented to the organization in Chicago at the Cannan Homes development, on November 13.

"Nehemiah is dedicated to providing assistance to today's families struggling to fulfill the "American Dream" of homeownership. The affordable housing crisis in this country — and especially in our urban centers like Chicago — is tearing apart the fabric of our country. We always look for innovative ways to help people move from homelessness to homeownership," said Hazaiah Williams, executive director of the Nehemiah Community Foundation. "We are proud to be able to assist the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation with their Canaan Homes program and hope to grow our relationship with LCDC and the Chicago community."

The Nehemiah Community Foundation makes grants throughout the nation to non-profits working in the areas of affordable housing, economic development and education. The Lawndale Christian Development Corporation was established in 1987 by Lawndale Community Church to bring holistic revitalization to the lives and environments of Lawndale residents through economic empowerment, housing improvements, educational enrichments and community advocacy.

"We are thrilled that Nehemiah has chosen to support our Canaan Homes program," said Executive Director Richard Townsell. "With their help, we will be able to provide 25 families with homes and, more importantly, an equity stake in a neighborhood that is rapidly changing."

Lawndale Christian Development Corporation was established in 1987 by Lawndale Community Church to bring holistic revitalization to the lives and environments of Lawndale residents through economic empowerment, housing improvements, educational enrichments and community advocacy. LCDC's current affordable housing developments include Canaan Homes, Ezra Community Homes (in partnership with United Power for Action and Justice), Independence Manor Condominiums, 1836 S. Hamlin (3-unit condo rehab), Praise Apartments and New Covenant Apartments. Their homeownership efforts — new construction, single-family/condominium restoration, and homebuyer education — help to stabilize entire blocks in Lawndale by filling in vacant land, rehabilitating vacant property and increasing the number of concerned homeowners. Moreover, they allow low- and moderate-income households to build equity through homeownership, typically for slightly more than they were spending as renters. LCDC broke ground on Canaan Homes, its first single-family new construction project, in 2003.