WELCOMING OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADAM BALLARD
October 9, 2025 - The Board of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA), a non-profit fair housing advocacy organization, has named Adam Ballard as the new executive director. For over a decade, Adam has been a fierce advocate for housing choice and disability rights in Illinois. He comes to this role with a wealth of expertise in community organizing and policy advocacy. He previously served as an Associate State Director at AARP Illinois, where he was responsible for developing legislation and policy related to transportation and regional planning. Adam also spent 11 years of his career at Access Living leading fair housing and transportation efforts.
As a thought leader on accessibility integration for disabled people, Adam has worked with elected officials and public agencies to advance the disability community’s advocacy agenda. Through his service on a variety of committees and advisory boards, Adam has helped advance racial equity, disability justice, wealth-building, public health, and climate resilience.
Since its founding in 1985, CAFHA has fought for affordable, accessible, and dignified housing options for all. After serving 10 years in the role, CAFHA's outgoing executive director, Patricia Fron, celebrates the announcement, “With deep respect for Adam’s contributions to the civil rights movement, I am thrilled to see him step into this role. Adam’s expertise and passion for this work, combined with that of CAFHA’s incredible team and community of advocates, will make CAFHA a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see where this new chapter leads!”
Of the opportunity, Adam stated "As a former board member, I am looking forward to my return to CAFHA in this new capacity as executive director. I have watched this organization grow from being completely volunteer-led to being a vital part of Chicago's housing justice landscape with multiple staff working in ways that impact and center the voices of those most directly impacted by housing discrimination. I plan to use my community organizing and policy advocacy background to further deepen our roots in community, while also using the experience I have gained in philanthropy to further expand our financial resources and our programs' impact."
CHEERS TO 40 YEARS!
Thank you to everyone who joined us as we joyously celebrated 40 years of CAFHA! We are so proud of all the collaborative research, policy changes, and power coalition-building CAFHA has successfully accomplished over the years, and we look forward to many more victories!
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We are grateful to our staff, board members and long-time supporters of CAFHA for all of the support over the years. Special thanks also to the sponsors, donors, and attendees who made our 40th Anniversary a night to remember.
To our outgoing board members John Petruszak (South Suburban Housing Center) and Jawanza Malone (Wieboldt Foundation), we extend our heartfelt thanks for your leadership, time, and unwavering commitment to advance CAFHA's mission. Cheers to 40 years and many more!
Weren't able to join us? There is still time to make a $40 donation or more in honor of our 40th birthday! We value your support!
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