Chhaya CDC

Chhaya CDC is the flagship community development corporation and housing advocacy institution dedicated to serving South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrant communities throughout New York City. Founded in 2000 by grassroots community activists who recognized severe housing overcrowding, language isolation, and systemic financial barriers faced by South Asian immigrants in Western Queens, the organization has grown over more than two decades into a vital neighborhood anchor with full-service community offices located in Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill. Over its history, the agency has helped thousands of hardworking families secure permanent homes, fight landlord abuse, and build generational economic security.

The organization’s cornerstone housing counseling division delivers comprehensive, multilingual support that stabilizes low- and moderate-income immigrant households. As a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, certified housing specialists guide aspiring first-time homebuyers through credit repair, mortgage pre-qualification, down payment grant assistance, and affordable loan terms. For current homeowners facing financial hardship or predatory lending practices, the agency provides intensive foreclosure prevention mediation and mortgage restructuring counseling. Tenant organizers assist renters with tenant rights workshops, lease reviews, and legal defense against unlawful evictions and landlord harassment. Furthermore, the organization leads pioneering citywide advocacy for basement apartment legalization, working alongside municipal leaders to transform informal subterranean homes into safe, regulated, affordable housing units across New York City.

Economic equity and small business incubation form vital pillars of the agency's multifaceted mission. Certified financial counselors provide individualized coaching on personal budgeting, debt reduction, credit-building strategies, and mainstream banking access. Through innovative peer lending circles, participants build formal credit histories while saving money collectively in a supportive, community-centered group setting. The agency also supports local micro-entrepreneurs, street vendors, and commercial corridor merchants with technical assistance, commercial lease reviews, and government grant navigation, sustaining vibrant immigrant shopping districts across Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill.

Civic participation, immigration legal assistance, and cultural celebration round out the organization’s holistic approach to community empowerment. Staff organize nonpartisan voter registration drives, public candidate debates, and know-your-rights forums, ensuring community voices shape municipal policy decisions. Multilingual legal clinics assist residents with citizenship naturalization applications, green card renewals, and immigration fee waivers. Each summer, the organization hosts Chatpati Mela, a premier South Asian street festival that unites thousands of residents in Jackson Heights for cultural dance performances, local food vendors, and community fellowship.

Community members can access direct services by contacting the Jackson Heights or Richmond Hill offices by phone, email, or online appointment. Bilingual case managers assist clients in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Punjabi, Tibetan, Guyanese Creole, and Spanish to ensure complete language accessibility. Supporters, volunteers, and community partners can advance the mission by tutoring adult learners, assisting with festival coordination, or providing tax-deductible financial contributions to expand economic equity initiatives across New York City.