The Land Bank’s home giveaway raises awareness of its Homebuyer Direct Program, which enables people to purchase vacant, abandoned homes at below-market rates, rehab them and earn immediate equity.

Since its inception in 2017, the Homebuyer Direct program has provided more than 140 homes to homebuyers and earned them an average of $20,000 in instant equity. The program focuses on boosting homeownership in areas where lingering effects of the 2008 mortgage crisis left a glut of vacant and abandoned properties in Cook County and slowed community development.

More than 15,000 people entered the Land Bank’s third annual home giveaway in 2019, compared to 3,874 entrants in 2018.

CCLBA Home Giveaway

Homeownership builds neighborhoods, and it’s a family’s ultimate peace of mind. The Land Bank makes that dream more affordable for thousands of people across Cook County. Today, the public and private sectors are coming together to help a homeownership dream become a reality.

Bridget Gainer
Cook County Commissioner, CCLBA Chairperson

Cook County Land Bank Authority Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Home Giveaway

October 18, 2019
Chicago, IL — Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and The Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) announced the winner of the Land Bank’s third annual home giveaway, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.

Congratulations to the 2018 Home Giveaway Winner!

December 18, 2018
Congratulations to Ms. Jenaia Hart, the winner of the 2018 Homeowner Giveaway! Ms. Hart won her brand-new, move-in ready home in Maywood just two weeks before she is expected to welcome her first child. Congrats to Ms. Hart, and thank you to all who applied!

Congratulations to the Winner of the Homeowner Giveaway!

December 22, 2017
Chicago, IL — Today, the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) announced the winner of its first-ever home giveaway, a holiday initiative in which the Land Bank donated one fully rehabbed, single-family home to raise awareness about its Homebuyer Direct Program.