By Chicago Sun Times · Updated October 30th, 2025
Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Leads Free Homebuying Workshop to Empower Renters
Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is spearheading a full-day event designed to give Chicago residents tools to transition from renting to owning a home. The workshop, titled “The Home Stretch — Your Financial Jumpstart to Owning a Home”.
This marks the first time the Treasurer’s office is hosting such a workshop, part of Conyears-Ervin’s effort to tackle the city’s housing affordability crisis and create pathways toward generational wealth through homeownership.
According to Conyears-Ervin, the median home price in Chicago has increased roughly 20% over the past five years. With rents reaching record highs, she argues the city must equip residents with the means to own real estate—not just rent indefinitely. “The purpose for me is really to address the housing crisis that we see in our city and our neighborhoods,” she says.
At the event, participants will connect with certified housing counselors, mortgage-readiness coaches and lending partners. They’ll also be able to earn a certificate to present to banks for down-payment assistance, receive a free credit score check via TransUnion, and obtain tools to reinforce their financial readiness.
Treasurer Conyears-Ervin highlights credit history and available funds as the biggest hurdles for many first-time buyers. “Many people do not know how to increase their credit score. They don’t even know how to begin,” she says. “People really want help and to be able to have all of these resources under one roof is a major affect. We’re looking for people to walk away with what they need to be able to purchase their own home.”
In particular, Conyears-Ervin points to glaring racial disparities in homeownership and wealth in Chicago. Her office reports that only 40% of Black households in Chicago own homes, compared to 77% of white households. Meanwhile, the median net worth for Black households is reportedly $0, versus $210,000 for white households.
“Homeownership is within their reach,” Conyears-Ervin declares. “This is something that they can have access to, and everyone deserves housing.”
