Race + Housing Resource Page

Amber S. Hendley is an accomplished researcher and policy advocate, known for her work in and publications on fair lending, wealth creation, and financial systems reform, particularly focusing on low- and moderate-income households and communities of color. 

As the Director of Research for Woodstock Institute, she spearheads research initiatives aimed at promoting financial security and equity. Hendley’s academic background includes an M.A. in Analytical and Political Economy from Duke University and a B.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Florida State University.

• Read her research in Reframing the Racial Wealth Gap and her collaboration on unBlocked Chicago as a research consultant.

   

Commissioner Lissette Castañeda comes to the role of Department of Housing Commissioner with two decades of experience in affordable housing development, housing services, and organizational leadership. 

She served as LUCHA’s Executive Director for five years, and prior to LUCHA, Castañeda was the Interim Executive Director and the Director of Community Engagement for the Center for Changing Lives, where she worked to expand economic opportunities and revitalize neighborhoods across Chicago.

• Visit Chicago's Department of Housing website.

   

Shenita Muse has been serving as the Executive Director of the Hope Center Foundation since 2019, where she successfully revitalized the organization after a four-year period of dormancy. 

Shenita leads a team committed to tackling the root causes of poverty, violence, and trauma through initiatives such as entrepreneurship, homeownership, financial literacy, and workforce development in the Roseland, Pullman, and West Pullman communities.

• Learn about Hope Center Foundation's affordable homeownership program and support their efforts.

   

LaToya Spann-Martin has over 25 years of experience in lending with a passion for community empowerment. Focused on underserved and underrepresented communities, she champions financial literacy initiatives, bridges the gap between financial access and knowledge, and actively engages in community impact projects. 

Inspired by her mother’s journey to break the cycle of poverty, she works to make homeownership possible regardless of background or budget.

• Explore mortgage resources with Key Mortgage Services.