Housing first. Stability always.

Mission

Primer Properties is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to provide affordable supportive housing to United States military veterans and their families, to alleviate veteran homelessness through dedicated housing inventory and supportive services, and to support veteran reintegration and economic self-sufficiency by treating housing stability as the foundational platform for civilian transition.

The principle behind the work

You cannot develop a leader who is fighting to survive.

Veterans arrive in civilian life with training, discipline, and leadership the country invested heavily to build. When housing is unstable, that investment is spent on survival instead of on family, work, and community. Stable, affordable housing is not the end of the mission. It is the precondition for everything else.

How we approach it

Own the inventory

We will acquire and operate residential property outright rather than broker placements with third-party landlords. Ownership lets us hold rents at affordable levels permanently, control the quality of the housing, and keep units dedicated to veterans through changes in the rental market.

Keep it affordable

Rents are set at or below HUD-VASH Fair Market Rent. We will participate in project-based voucher allocations where available so that resident rent contributions stay at 30% of adjusted income and the housing remains financially stable.

Coordinate support, do not duplicate it

We are a housing organization, not a clinical provider. We coordinate with the VA, local Public Housing Authorities, veteran service organizations, and community providers so residents are connected to case management, mental-health and substance-use resources, employment services, financial literacy, and benefits advocacy. Participation in supportive programming is voluntary and free to residents.

Govern independently

An independent, volunteer Board of Directors holds all voting authority. The organization maintains a Conflict of Interest Policy with documented recusal procedures, and every related-party relationship is disclosed and approved at arm's length.

Where we work

Our initial service area is the Chicago metropolitan area. Expansion to additional Illinois communities will follow as financial and operational capacity permits and as the Board approves.