The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) joined the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) today in Waukesha, Wis., to recognize one of the 14 Wisconsin organizations receiving grants through the Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP): La Casa de Esperanza.

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Representatives from FHLBank Chicago, WHEDA, La Casa de Esperanza, and Waukesha State Bank gather in Waukesha, Wis., for a check presentation recognizing grant funding through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program.

Representatives from FHLBank Chicago, WHEDA, La Casa de Esperanza, and Waukesha State Bank gather in Waukesha, Wis., for a check presentation recognizing grant funding through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program.

The grants, funded by FHLBank Chicago and administered by WHEDA in Wisconsin, expand access to housing counseling services that prepare individuals and families for successful, sustainable homeownership and support FHLBank Chicago members with a pipeline of mortgage-ready applicants.

The HCRP strengthens the capacity of HUD-certified housing counseling agencies across Illinois and Wisconsin. FHLBank Chicago funds the program through partnerships with WHEDA in Wisconsin and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) in Illinois, helping agencies provide financial education, credit preparation, homebuyer education and individualized guidance for prospective and current homeowners.

“Successful homeownership requires more than overcoming affordability barriers. It also requires preparation, trusted guidance and local organizations that can meet families where they are,” said Katie Naftzger, SVP and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. “Through HCRP and our partnerships with WHEDA and IHDA, we are proud to support agencies like La Casa de Esperanza as they help more Wisconsin families take informed, confident steps toward homeownership.”

Since its launch in 2022, through year-end 2025, the HCRP has awarded $13 million to strengthen housing counseling across Illinois and Wisconsin. Supported agencies provided services to more than 105,000 households, with nearly 9,000 achieving homeownership. In 2025, the program supported 44 HUD-certified housing counseling agencies across the two states.

“WHEDA brings deep expertise and relationships across Wisconsin, while housing counseling agencies provide trusted and personal guidance directly in the communities they serve,” said Elmer Moore Jr., CEO and Executive Director of WHEDA. “These grants strengthen that network and help more Wisconsin families confidently navigate the path to successful homeownership.”

La Casa de Esperanza will use the funding to strengthen housing counseling services for individuals and families in the Waukesha area.

“This funding helps us strengthen the housing counseling services we provide and meet individuals and families wherever they are on their path to homeownership,” said Gina M. Sanchez Juarez, Center for Financial Stability Director at La Casa de Esperanza. “With this support, we can continue providing the personalized guidance and resources families need to prepare financially and make informed decisions about their future.”

The impact of housing counseling is reflected in homebuyers like Julia Castillo who received counseling through La Casa de Esperanza while preparing to purchase a home. Julia, a single mom of three, also received a $10,000 Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) grant from FHLBank Chicago through member Waukesha State Bank in Waukesha County to help with down payment and closing costs.

“Housing counseling gave me the guidance and information I needed to feel prepared for homeownership,” said Castillo. “Having someone there to answer my questions and help me understand each step made the process feel much more manageable.”

The HCRP is part of FHLBank Chicago’s broader approach to expanding homeownership opportunities through its member-owned cooperative model. By strengthening housing counseling agencies and connecting prospective homebuyers with trusted guidance earlier in the process, the program helps create a stronger path from financial preparation to mortgage financing. Programs like DPP provide additional support along that path, helping eligible homebuyers with down payment and closing costs.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.

Community First, Downpayment Plus and DPP are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

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