Community HousingWorks

A nonprofit organization

0% complete

$5,000 Goal

About

Founded in 1988, Community HousingWorks (CHW) is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops, rehabilitates, preserves and operates affordable apartment communities throughout California.

Our unique approach extends beyond an affordable place to call home. In addition to providing working families and seniors with stable homes in healthy communities, we layer in powerful programs, services and connections to resources. These tools help people attain financial stability, improve their health and overall well-being, and set school-age children up for success in the classroom and beyond.

In Sacramento, CHW owns Salvator Apartments, located on Arden Way, serving over 115 low income working families, children and seniors. In addition to this community, CHW is currently building two new properties to serve Sacramento's residents. Our development on I Street will offer 84 new affordable housing units. The second community, on Q Street, will offer 220 affordable housing units and 27 permanent supportive housing units.

Furthermore, we are excited to have building underway for Pacific Street Apartments in Placer County. Pacific Street marks an important milestone for Community HousingWorks and the future of affordable housing in Rocklin, California. This new community will provide 110 affordable, high-quality homes for families, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, along with family-oriented community amenities. It reflects years of collaboration between Community HousingWorks, the City, financing partners, and the development team to bring new affordable housing to downtown Rocklin.

Portfolio-wide, CHW owns over 5,000 apartments in 54 communities, serving more than 12,000 individuals.

CHW is an exemplary-ranked member of the national NeighborWorks Network®, an award-winning affiliate of UnidosUS and a member of the prestigious Housing Partnership Network.

View our 2024 Annual Report here.

View our Q4 2025 Impact Report here.

Mission

Opportunity begins with a stable home. Community HousingWorks (CHW) provides and builds life-changing affordable apartment communities with resident-centered services for working families, older adults, and people with disabilities to forge stronger futures. CHW was founded in 1988 by social justice activists, social service advocates and city leaders in Escondido, California united by the cause of affordable apartments for children and homeless families. Today, CHW owns over 5,000 apartments in 54 communities across California and expanding into Texas, serving more than 12,000 working individuals and families.

Equity Statement

Community HousingWorks (CHW) has as a core value: commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Internally, this is exemplified through our strong record of hiring diverse staff at all levels of the organization, our Community of Practice team learning and training staff on DEIB best practices, CHW’s requirement of unconscious bias training for hiring managers, and our ongoing efforts to foster community through celebrations of different cultures and holidays. Externally, this is highlighted in our work with consultant and construction teams during development, and with community residents after they move in. CHW has always included Section 3 requirements in its general contractor contracts regardless of source of funding. We have partnered with the Black Contractors of America (BCA) on development projects and had success not only in hiring a diverse pool of labor and subcontractors, but also in implementing workforce readiness and apprenticeship training. As a result of this success, CHW created an Ad Hoc Task Force on Diversity and explored the barriers to entry for minority construction related enterprises, including such challenges as working capital, bond-ability, and insurance. As a result, CHW requires its general contractors to abide by measurable DEIB goals and report on progress. Through these and other measures, CHW continually demonstrates our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles.