Community Development Strategies is a small woman-owned business that provides affordable housing development consulting services nationwide. CDS is headquartered in downtown Chicago.

2025 Community Development Strategies Accomplishments 

  • Led Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Application
  • Led RAD/LIHTC closings, including over 1,500 public housing units (PBV, PBRA, and Section 18 Blends).
  • Obtained multiple 4% LIHTC awards and gap funding sources.
  • Worked on multiple scattered-site public housing to PBV conversions to maximize rents.

CDS provides over 28 years of experience working with HUD and housing authorities across the country to structure, leverage, and implement affordable, sustainable, mixed-income, and mixed-use redevelopment projects with multiple layers of financing.   Learn More →

CDS specializes in the project management and implementation of HUD programs, including: Rental Housing Demonstration/ Section 18 blend project-based voucher conversions, and Restore Rebuild mixed-finance/mixed-income development. CDS works to maximize revenue to invest and preserve affordable housing assets. View our services →

 RAD Development Consulting + Project Management

Pre-Closing and Post-Closing Activities

  • Planning/Predevelopment/Due diligence
  • Funding applications (LIHTC/HUD approvals)
  • Procuring/Selecting contractors
  • Transaction document review/Closing process
  • Budget and schedule oversight during construction
  • Draw preparation/Review and processing
  • Lease-up oversight
  • Reporting/Equity and lender milestone requirements

Asset Repositioning + Strategic Implementation

Portfolio and Site Level Analysis 

  • Asset repositioning alternatives
  • RAD/Section 18 Blend and Faircloth to RAD
  • Funding gap sources identification
  • Strategic implementation strategies
  • PHA Annual/Capital Fund Planning
  • Tracking timelines/Budgets/Action items

 

Technical Assistance + Training

Best Practices and Internal Agency Experience

  • RAD and development processes
  • Project management/Budget tracking
  • HUD public housing/Procurement compliance
  • Project draw/construction pay app processing
  • Section 3/MBE/WBE certified payrolls compliance