Categories: Chicago

Choose to Own helping Chicagoans to buy their own homes

It is the dream of every Chicagoans to own his/her own home. Niesha Chism is one of those Chicagoans who always dreamed to have their own home in Chicago. But she faced a lot of troubles in terms of finance. She did not even know when and how her dream would come true.

She joined a voucher program of the Chicago Housing Authority five years back and she got a home on rent. Government provided her some assistance to stay under a roof by paying some rent for it. Chism said, “I have a bachelor’s degree, I have done MBA, and I also have done my Master’s degree in Science and Finance but I still had to rely on such a program”. She added, “Even degrees and jobs are unable to move people, like me, away from such programs”.

A situation came when her financial condition pushed her towards the disqualification for a voucher. It was the time when ‘Choose to Own’ came to help her. Eugene Jones Jr., CEO of Choose to Own, said, “We developed this program a few years back in order to help the voucher holders to acquire their own home”.

The program has helped almost 600 people of Chicago to buy their own home. Chism is one of them who bought her house next to her childhood home. Niesha Chism’s father said, “I am quite proud of my daughter as she has her own home. I always told her to have her own things and get her own things in life”. In the current year, the program has already helped 30 people to get their own home and the count is on.

Niesha Chism said, “This house has a lot of sentimental values attached with me”. It is really a great thing and a great cause to help the voucher holders to acquire a home. It will help to end the generation renting and other housing issues from the society. There are hundreds of people who dreamed to have their own home like Niesha. This program will help them to watch their dream come true.

Shawn Genzone

Senior writer at the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Chicago Parents Urge CPS to Fund Multilingual Education

Representatives of the Chicago Multilingual Parent Council urged the Chicago Board of Education to strengthen support for multilingual students in…

2 days ago

Orlando City Eyes Playoff Berth Against Chicago Fire

Orlando City will look to secure a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs when they face the Chicago Fire…

3 days ago

Chicago Unveils Plan for Year-Round Public Markets

Chicago is moving forward with plans to establish a network of indoor, year-round public markets aimed at improving food access…

5 days ago

Delta Cuts 2026 Profit Forecast as Fuel Costs Surge

Delta Air Lines has sharply reduced its 2026 earnings outlook as surging jet fuel prices, driven by the ongoing war…

3 weeks ago

Messi, Suarez Lead Inter Miami to 4-0 Win Over D.C. United

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez each scored twice as Inter Miami cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over D.C. United…

3 weeks ago

Chicago’s Bellwether Opens as First LaSalle Conversion

Chicago has reached a major milestone in its effort to transform underused downtown office buildings into residential communities. On September…

3 weeks ago

This website uses cookies.