Mission

The Urban Homesteading Assistance Board transforms renters into homeowners who collectively own and democratically govern true housing co-operatives that will remain affordable, in perpetuity, to people of modest means.

Statement of Core Principles

Our work is based on five core principles articulated below. These principles guide all of our work and create a base of understanding between residents, as the key decision-makers, and UHAB staff, as providers of tools and access to resources.

Self-Help
Self-help is power. The self-help model gives residents the tools to rehab and develop their own buildings. When residents take control of their housing, it not only improves buildings and strengthens neighborhoods, it transforms lives.

Democratic Resident Control
Co-ops are democracies in action.  This is made possible by inclusive leadership and the full participation of all residents. Leadership is most effective when it is responsive and transparent; resident participation is possible when they have full information on all decisions affecting the development, management, and operation of the co-op.

True Shared-Equity Cooperative Ownership
Real co-ops that embody the third principle of the International Cooperative Alliance are legally structured to provide affordable housing in perpetuity by allowing departing shareholders to recoup the original cost of their shares plus a modest profit.  It is precisely this limitation on profit making that makes the apartment affordable to the next low- or moderate-income buyer.  For the shareholder there is a trade-off: they forego possible future profits at the time of sale in exchange for an immediate financial gain that is realized in the form of low monthly housing costs.  What we have learned over the last thirty years is that thousands of low- and moderate-income families enthusiastically embrace this bargain when given the choice.

Housing Quality
Urban housing should be built to last for generations.  Our construction and rehabilitation work always exemplifies the highest standards of design, durability, energy efficiency, and environmental consciousness.

Continuous Learning
Continuous learning is the key to sustaining housing cooperatives.  Through its extensive training and technical assistance services, UHAB provides on-going opportunities to both its own staff and co-op residents to increase their knowledge and skills.