Law Center for Better Housing

EIN: 363134577 501(c)(3) Crime & Legal

Chicago, IL

Total Revenue
$5,488,896
Total Expenses
$5,161,699
Total Assets
$4,695,818
Net Assets
$3,368,295
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1981
Legal Domicile
IL
Principal Officer
Mark Swartz
Phone
3123477600
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

Law Center for Better Housing, founded in 1981, is a community nonprofit in the Crime & Legal sector that reported $5.5M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Expenses of $5.2M left a modest 6% surplus.

Mission

To promote the rights of renters to safe, accessible, and affordable housing on a non-discriminatory basis through education, outreach, supportive services, advocacy, and legal representation.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $4,402,810 Revenue: $49,421

Tenants Advocacy Program provides a trusted advocate for renters in and out of court, and incorporates all of the services LCBH provides directly for tenants as a continuum of services and...

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Tenants Advocacy Program provides a trusted advocate for renters in and out of court, and incorporates all of the services LCBH provides directly for tenants as a continuum of services and care.*Legal representation for eviction defense (non-foreclosure)*Legal representation for renters living in foreclosed buildings *Representation without litigation-legal counsel and negotiations outside of court*Pro Bono support-LCBH volunteer and intern program to increase direct service capacity*Foreclosure Counseling-assistance to renters who are living or believe they are living in a foreclosed building*Supportive Services to help LCBH clients most vulnerable to homelessness achieve housing stability*Brief services and Pro Se help-assistance with renter self-representation*Legal information provided by chatbot at rentervention.com

Program 2
Expenses: $61,335

Affordable Housing Preservation (AHPP) helps preserve vitality and affordability in Chicago's neighborhoods through legal services to assist renters and community-based organizations in their efforts...

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Affordable Housing Preservation (AHPP) helps preserve vitality and affordability in Chicago's neighborhoods through legal services to assist renters and community-based organizations in their efforts to improve poor living conditions and to keep buildings occupied that are threatened with foreclosure. *Legal representation and advocacy that saves affordable housing units*Tenant organizing to improve building conditions*Coordinated collaboration with community-based partners

Program 3
Expenses: $122,066

Education, Outreach and Public Policy Program provides outreach and education to empower various stakeholders with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves or on behalf of renters. Public...

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Education, Outreach and Public Policy Program provides outreach and education to empower various stakeholders with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves or on behalf of renters. Public policy efforts are collaborations with a variety of stakeholders on issues ranging from equal justice in the courtroom, efforts to reduce homelessness, and efforts that preserve or increase affordable housing in Chicago. *Tenant education and outreach efforts to assist renters living in large buildings*Legal advocates training*Community advocates training*Fair Housing Education*Collaborations on policy efforts to affect systemic change

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $5,413,774
Program Service Revenue $39,325
Investment Income $32,427
Other Revenue $3,370
TOTAL REVENUE $5,488,896

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $3,429,739
Fundraising Expenses $335,825
Program Expenses $4,586,211
Other Expenses $1,731,960
TOTAL EXPENSES $5,161,699

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $5,488,896 $5,721,235 0.0%
Expenses $5,161,699 $4,750,550 +0.1%
Net Income $327,197 $970,685 -0.7%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
12
Independent Members
12
Employees
52
Volunteers
111

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$127,370
Total Directors
12
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
1
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Geoff Cockrell President 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Jessica Panza Vice President 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Colin Cordes Treasurer 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Collette Allison Woghiren Secretary 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Richard Astle Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Louis DiSanto Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Andrew Harrison Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Anthony Hopp Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Erin Kelley Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Shiva Kooragayala Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Christopher Thompkins Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Felicia Shakespeare Director 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mark Swartz Executive Director 40.00
Officer
$127,370 $0 $127,370
Michelle Gilbert Legal & Policy Director 40.00
Highest
$120,093 $0 $120,093
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $5,488,896 $5,161,699 $4,695,818 $327,197
2023 $5,721,235 $4,750,550 $4,349,414 $970,685
2022 $3,813,768 $3,552,493 $2,745,350 $261,275
2021 $3,116,718 $2,631,903 $2,020,202 $484,815
2020 $2,532,100 $2,168,493 $1,514,220 $363,607
2019 $1,251,679 $1,494,872 $1,096,724 $-243,193
2018 $1,885,510 $1,426,445 $1,273,875 $459,065
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