What is the Keeping the Promise Campaign?
- Jul 7, 2016
- 1 min read
The Keeping the Promise Campaign is an effort to drop homelessness in Chicago and dramatically increase access to affordable housing at no cost to Chicago’s City Government through reforming the Chicago Housing Authority.
Reforming the Chicago Housing Authority is the key to ending homelessness in Chicago by holding the Chicago Housing Authority to higher standards about CHA’s use of federal and city funds, we can literally provide housing to tens of thousands of Chicago families currently struggling to provide their children with a decent, stable home.

According to CHA’s latest financial report (FY2012), the Chicago Housing Authority is sitting on surplus cash of more than $432 million— To put that in perspective, CHA’s cash stockpile is larger than the whole City of Chicago’s budget deficit for 2014.
The CHA has accumulated this cash surplus by deciding to circulate 13,500 fewer housing vouchers than HUD has funded CHA to provide annually.
In addition, CHA leaves thousands of its physical public housing units vacant year after year, and CHA’s progress in rebuilding public housing has plummeted since 2011.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of families and seniors languish on CHA’s waiting lists. Many sleep in their cars or on the streets, find refuge in a homeless shelter, or double up with family members to survive—- all while public funding intended to help them continues to pile up, with no plan and no explanation.
It doesn’t have to be this way.





















This article was really informative and enjoyable to read—thanks for sharing such valuable insights! Also, if you’ve recently used InboxDollars, make sure to check out the InboxDollars survey opportunity for a chance to earn exciting rewards.
Custom men’s T-shirts are perfect for those who want something different from regular store-bought options. The personalization adds a unique touch to any wardrobe.
For students analyzing their academic progress, understanding terminology is essential. The term graduation with honours meaning identifies a degree completed with a higher academic standard. It often involves meeting defined grading criteria. This can strengthen both academic and professional prospects. It also reflects dedication to learning. The College of Contract Management provides guidance on these concepts.
Construction projects often demand a balance between technical knowledge and leadership ability. Pursuing nvq level 6 site management can help develop both aspects simultaneously. It supports professionals in managing resources while maintaining compliance with regulations. This holistic approach is widely appreciated in the industry. Institutions like The College of Contract Management frequently emphasize these skills.
This is such an eye-opening post that highlights a deeply troubling reality — while tens of thousands of Chicago families remain on waiting lists without stable housing, over $432 million in public funds sit untouched by the CHA with no clear plan for their use. The fact that 13,500 housing vouchers go undistributed annually is not just a policy failure but a moral one, and the Keeping the Promise Campaign is absolutely right to demand greater accountability and transparency from the authority. Stable housing is the foundation of everything else in a person's life — education, employment, health, and dignity — and when that foundation is denied, entire communities suffer the consequences for generations. This kind of community-driven advocacy reminds…