Woodlawn Community Development Corporation (WCDC) - (888) 238-3643

Celebrating 40 Years of Service, Excellence, and Leadership in Chicago!

Woodlawn Community Development Corporation (WCDC) was founded by President Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr. As an influential architect for social change, political power and economic opportunity in Woodlawn, Dr. Finney has expanded WCDC beyond building and managing real estate by investing in the people.

In 1960, The Woodlawn Organization (T.W.O.) was established in Woodlawn to build community through advocacy, social service programs, and community development initiatives. As the "Voice of Woodlawn," this powerful coalition of existing community churches, and civic associations rallied against slum landlords and the expanding University of Chicago to solidify their growth, strength and influence.

In 1972, Dr. Finney realized the need to revitalize Chicago’s inner city neighborhoods and founded Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. WCDC's first project was the aggressive redevelopment of the 30-acre track of land between 60th and 65th Streets, Stony Island and the IC/Metra train tracks. This entire area was an individual sub-component of the “T.W.O Model Cities Plan”. The actualization of the strategic plan took over 15 years to realize and required the coordinated efforts of community leaders, local businesses, religious institutions, the University of Chicago, municipal agencies, governmental financing entities, the private sector and the community at large.

We believe it is a human right to safe and secure housing. A community should not be defined by the income of its tenants but the character of shared relationships built on mutual respect and honesty.

We develop and manage quality affordable housing including mixed-income rentals and real estate properties where families, professionals, seniors, and students thrive in turnaround communities throughout 30 Chicago neighborhoods.

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