Derenda Bradley Named Chicago CHA’s 1,000th Choose to Own Buyer

CHICAGO (WLS) — For Derenda Bradley and her family, becoming homeowners marked a major personal achievement—and a milestone for the Chicago Housing Authority. Bradley is the 1,000th successful participant in the agency’s Choose to Own program.

Bradley, a first-time buyer, recently purchased a home in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood through the CHA initiative, which launched in 2002. Surrounded by relatives and community members during a celebration, she described the significance of reaching homeownership.

“It’s just exciting. It’s just exciting to just be a part of such a program,” Bradley said.

CHA officials confirmed that Bradley is the 1,000th person to complete the Choose to Own program successfully.

“At the end of the day, it’s about everyday people who are moving forward in their lives, and the progress that we make in our individual lives make our communities that much stronger,” said Jawanza Malone, chairman of the CHA Board of Commissioners.

The celebration included an unexpected surprise for Bradley: CHA presented her with a new set of kitchen appliances for her home.

“So, congratulations, my dear, and you deserve it,” CHA CEO Keith Pettigrew told her as the crowd erupted in applause.

Bradley said the path to owning a home was far from easy. She faced addiction and lost custody of her children. Today, she shares the Roseland home with her daughter and four grandchildren.

For Bradley’s granddaughter, Amira Taylor, the new home represents a fresh start for the family.

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“We get to have our own room, and I feel really excited about the new house,” Taylor said.

Jimmy Stewart, CHA’s manager of homeownership programs, said the benefits of the initiative reach well beyond the purchase of a property.

“It’s not just about homeownership; we’re changing the trajectory of their lives and their children’s lives,” Stewart said.

Stewart, who was raised in CHA housing, said the work is especially meaningful to him. He also believes expanding homeownership can help narrow the generational wealth gap in communities of color.

“Homeownership is that thing that is like the foundation for where dreams are being built and dreams are being pursued through home ownership and that stability that it provides,” Stewart said.

“They have a community. They have a village. So, it’s important that they know that they can lean on their village if they ever struggle with whatever life presents them with,” she said.

The home holds an even deeper meaning for Bradley. She said the day she received approval to buy it also marked the one-year anniversary of formally adopting her grandchildren.

Bradley hopes the house will give her family more than a place to live. She wants it to offer shelter, stability and a foundation for future success.