CHI is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to finding solutions to the housing crises that has long plagued the United States. We believe in private-public partnerships, and we recognize that neither the public sector nor the private sector, acting alone, will ever solve the challenges we face. However, by joining forces, the two sides have demonstrated progress toward meaningful solutions, and our work will continue to emphasize these concepts.

We are happy to report that 2025 was an exceptional year with more than $1.3 million in grants made to 18 dedicated nonprofit partners. Since CHI’s founding in 2018, we’ve funded more than $3.6 million in grants to 26 non-profit organizations who share CHI’s vision of solving the housing and homelessness crisis. We are grateful for the hard work of our dedicated grantees who continue to strive for effective solutions.

CHI on Research

One of CHI’s primary objectives is to fund research that could lead to improved public policy related to solving the housing crisis. To this end, in late 2023, CHI awarded a grant to the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation (RAND) to fund research into the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The goal of the $400K study, which was conducted in collaboration with the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley, was to identify best practices of housing authorities that have achieved high voucher utilization rates.

We are pleased to report that the study, Improving Utilization in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, was released in September of 2025. The report shows that while the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is highly effective, local housing agencies would benefit from greater regulatory flexibility, program innovation, and local partnerships to consistently deliver every available voucher to families in need.

To ensure broad exposure to the study, CHI engaged a prominent government/public relations firm. Since the release of the report, the firm launched the report and initial visibility with a complete communications strategy that included a landing page on CHI’s website with key findings and endorsements from prominent housing leaders, stakeholder engagement, and media outreach, while demonstrating the authors’ applied expertise. As an result of these efforts, more than 900 stakeholders joined an exclusive webinar held by the authors of the HCV report sponsored by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Additionally, David Dworkin, CEO of the National Housing Conference, interviewed me to discuss the study among other housing topics on his monthly podcast Beyond Four Walls.

CHI on Public Awareness

CHI believes that until the public becomes aware of the underlying challenges that are contributing to the nation’s housing crises, the crises will continue unabated. For this reason, we believe in supporting projects and organizations that are focused on educating the public, so it understands the extent of the challenges and what potential solutions are available today and on the horizon.

One of our largest commitments to date has been to support the film project – Beyond the Bridge: A Solution To Homelessness, a feature length documentary. The film focuses on innovative solutions to homelessness including “Housing First” models which prioritize permanent supportive housing as a foundation for individuals to get off the street and resume their lives.

Following our initial seed grant to produce the film, CHI made an additional grant to help launch the film’s impact campaign. The film was released in April of 2024 and has completed 36 public and private screenings across the U.S. Written and produced as an educational tool, the film has been seen by more than 30,000 stakeholders – city and county leaders including mayors and county executives, government officials, housing advocates, and private sector leaders among others.

Its impact is emerging as many of the civic leaders who have watched the film have revised their annual budgets to create programs like those shown in the film. Our work to elevate the film and town hall-style screenings also included direct engagement with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a critical audience with the power, and responsibility, to enact housing first solutions in their cities and towns.

CHI Support for Local Housing Providers

CHI’s commitment to support local housing providers has grown substantially over the last several years. One of our larger projects to date is Orange County’s first intergenerational campus that serves low-income children, young parents, and older adults experiencing homelessness. With CHI’s grant, Illumination Health + Home (IH+H)  will move forward with the construction of mixed-one, two- and three-bedroom units tailored to older adults, children, and youth. The Richard Lehn Intergenerational Campus will provide onsite wrap-around services tailored to meet the needs of each age group, including medical care, behavioral health, and early-childhood development. Shared space designs will foster connection across generations.

To address the devastating fires in Los Angeles, CHI awarded a grant to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) to provide critical housing-related services for families displaced by the recent Eaton and Palisades wildfires. The grant supports low- to moderate-income households as they recover, rebuild, and regain stability in the wake of the disaster. Habitat LA is working closely with affected families to assess their housing needs, facilitate repairs and provide temporary housing assistance on their road to recovery. The organization’s holistic approach ensures that families not only regain shelter but also receive guidance on available housing options, financial recovery and long-term planning.

CHI also awarded a grant to Mercy House Living Centers Development (MHLCD) to support their ongoing work in stabilizing housing for vulnerable populations. CHI’s funds will be used to expand support across Mercy House service areas, including Orange, Kern, Riverside, Ventura, and Maricopa Counties. The grant is earmarked for general operations, the client barrier flex fund, and property reinvestment. These areas encompass essential staffing and client services, direct financial assistance to clients for housing-related needs, and physical upgrades to housing units across six of their properties in Southern California. This grant will directly support families and seniors by providing stable housing and critical resources.

To conclude, there are a host of other projects and programs CHI supported in 2025, which we understand are only a small step to solving this housing crisis. That said, we are “just getting started” on this journey to make the world a better place through housing for all. We would like to express our gratitude to all of you who have supported our efforts and continue to work toward our shared goal of making housing a priority in the United States.

Will Cooper Jr. & Will Cooper Sr.
Founders
Cooper Housing Institute