Chicago Housing Authority

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is a municipal not-for-profit corporation created in 1937 that provides homes to more than 63,000 households while supporting healthy communities in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Designated as a Moving to Work agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CHA has used that flexibility to create innovative partnerships that expand choices and opportunities for the low-income families and individuals it serves.

CHA signed on to the Better Climate Challenge committing to a 50% reduction in GHG emissions across 616 buildings over 10 years. CHA has long been a leader in energy efficiency, using Energy Performance Contracting agreements since 1998 and wellhead energy supply contracts since 2006 to decrease overall energy usage and cost.

To meet its greenhouse gas and energy use reduction goals, CHA will continue to utilize energy savings and weatherization assistance programs while working to integrate sustainability into data-driven, multi-year capital planning. CHA has participated in utility energy efficiency and weatherization incentive programs since they began in 2018, leveraging over $18M towards lighting, HVAC, and other retrofits. In 2020, CHA energized its first on-site solar project at Dearborn Homes. Currently, CHA is piloting several building electrification projects in small multi-family properties, undertaking physical needs assessments of its portfolio, and seeking opportunities to increase its renewable energy usage.

PORTFOLIO-WIDE LEADERSHIP COMMITMENTS

50% emissions reduction in 10 years

15% reduction in energy intensity

Performance Data

Leadership Commitments

Better Climate Challenge

Goal

Commitment

Progress