As the Director of Asset
Management for Heartland Housing, Kandyse McCoy Cunningham oversees the
compliance, physical, and financial performance of more than 700 units of
affordable and supportive housing for low-income Chicagoans. Working in housing
for 25 years, she continues to thrive in the field thanks to her team and the
passion of building the life-changing foundation that is a home.
What got you into this work?
I got into housing by
accident. I needed a job, and a friend told me about property management.
Eventually, I got into affordable housing and I really loved it. I’ve been in affordable
housing management for 25 years.
Eventually, I was working for the state as an auditor – and one of my
buildings was the Leland Apartments in Chicago. I remember falling in love with
the place and actually being recommended to apply for the job – and here I am.
Why is this work important to the community? To the people we serve?
I call affordable and
supportive housing life-changing housing. This work is the perfect way to
display compassion. Everyone deserves housing – and it should be decent, it
should be safe, it should be clean. It doesn’t matter where you came from our
what your life was like before, you deserve respect – and our housing programs
really strive to do just that.
Was there a moment where you KNEW you were in a job that was right for you? Could you talk about that?
I remember the first
building we opened when I was on the job – Harvest Commons. I remember seeing
the faces of the residents when they received their keys, and when they saw the
amazing amenities of the building – you know, that building has an urban garden
– and I remember these people just lighting up. I remember people thanking us
and saying ‘you are building all of this for us’ – and that’s when I knew.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love leading and working
with my team. I feed off of them and they feed off of me – and our teamwork
really makes it all worth it.
How can others help your work?
People can help by simply
knowing and understanding what it is that we’re trying to do, without
preconceived notions. We spend a lot of time dispelling myths about affordable
and supportive housing. Understanding homelessness better and supporting
initiatives that end homelessness is the most important thing you can do to
help.
