About Us
Learn More about our non-profit organization
Our Staff
See Our NWHP Staff & Partners
Board of Directors
See Our Officers & Directors from the private and public sectors
NWHP creates and preserves affordable quality diverse housing for low to moderate income residents through renovation, senior assistance, and housing related educational programs.
For Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
Affordable Rental Housing for Seniors 55+
NWHP has developed partnerships with several developers in providing affordable and market-rate rental housing in several communities in the North West suburbs of Chicago.
Handyman and CAPABLE Program for Seniors
For those who are 60 years and older and people with disabilities, 18 or over, and in need of simple repairs in the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, all of Palatine and Wheeling Townships, and Oak Park Township (including Oak Park and River Forest.) NWHP has a unique Aging in Place program called CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place Advancing Better Living for Elders).
FOUNDED
Completed Projects
From the NWHP Blog
It’s Hard to Afford a Home These Days, North West Housing Partnership Can Help
Original Article on MainstreetThe path to homeownership can feel unachievable without the right resources or information. And, with home prices on the rise, many in our area may feel they simply can’t afford to pursue homeownership. In response, North West Housing...
What to Do When You Can’t Afford Home Repairs and Need Help
Article from Feb 28th 2023 posted on HomelightWhen old windows, a roof, or a heater break down, making repairs can suddenly become your top priority. But getting the money to fix your home can sometimes be difficult. Fortunately, there are options to help make your...
NWHP Celebrates Their 25th Anniversary
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) is celebrating a milestone; 25 years assisting thousands of individuals to obtain, and improve their housing in Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Kane counties. North West Housing Partnership, a non-profit organization, offers an array...
Our Mission
Established in 1990, North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) is a nonprofit agency that promotes public and private partnerships that create and preserve cost-effective quality housing for low to moderate income residents and workers through housing development and renovation, education, and advocacy.
Our Vision
Our Vision
North West Housing Partnership is the recognized leader and trusted partner in lifting up new and older neighborhoods by providing safe, high quality housing choices to responsible low to moderate income households by finding housing near transportation, employment, schools, and health care.
Our Service Area
Our Service Area
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) has a variety of programs and services that are available to those in and around the north, west and northwest suburbs of Chicago. In addition, NWHP collaborates with partners on affordable multi-family rental developments throughout the Chicagoland area. Additional information is available at www.nwhp.net.
About Us
About Info
NWHP has a variety of programs and services that are available to those in and around the West and Northwest suburbs of Chicago. In addition, NWHP collaborates with partners on affordable multi-family rental developments throughout the Chicagoland area.
North West Housing Partnership was incorporated in 1990 as a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and implementing programs that promote economically diverse housing. These programs include education and counseling as well as the construction of new housing and rehabilitation of existing housing. Homeownership is a priority as well as maintaining and increasing the supply of rental housing attainable to populations with limited income.
The purpose of the North West Housing Partnership is to act as a catalyst to bring together the public and private resources necessary to implement a community’s housing vision and to create balanced housing opportunities. The Director and staff of the NWHP understand the importance of all populations having access to affordable and sanitary housing. A family cannot be stabilized without access to appropriate housing; a neighborhood/community cannot be viable with an economically diverse housing market that supports and affirms the citizens that live and work in the community.
NWHP looks forward to continuing to initiate regional housing programs and models that will maximize the resources available for such efforts. These efforts include building strong partnerships with agencies and institutions administering the resources. These partnerships include municipalities, government agencies on the local, state, and national level, financial institutions as varied in size as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to local banks and credit unions. However, our most important partners are the residents that need and benefit from the programs that the NWHP implements. NWHP believes these programs will contribute to healthy communities that are economically viable and support and maximize the talents and resources of their residents.
Diverse housing continues to be a critical regional need. With the expertise and experience of our Board of Directors and Staff, NWHP is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the growing awareness of housing needs and capitalize on such needs in a manner that will generate a long time benefit to communities. Dedicated to a realistic housing vision and tools and talent that implement the vision are important pieces to the successful solution of the housing needs in today’s communities. NWHP looks forward with enthusiasm to being a critical entity available to those bodies seeking to create healthy communities that include a choice of housing options.
Since its inception over 30 years ago, NWHP has been successful in completing a number of important programs that have, and will continue to, support the development, maintenance, and availability of affordable housing. View some of North West Housing Partnership’s current programs.
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) is a HUD-approved Housing Counseling agency.
Board of Officers
James Nelis
Chairman
Nelis Law
Chan Yu
Co Chairman
Village of Round Lake
James Ratner
Treasurer
IFF
Nelson Morales
Secretary
Green State Mortgage
North West Housing Partnership Directors
Sheila Barber
Associated Bank
Michael Olach
Inland Bank & Trust
Shawn Block
Briggs Financial
Lesly Flores
Old National Bank
Syed Nizami
Barrington Bank & Trust
Fernando Flores
State Farm
James Nelis
Nelis Law
Nelson Morales
Green State Mortgage
James Ratner
IFF
North West Housing Partnership Staff and Partners
Paula Bush
Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
847-969-0561 Ext. 222
paulabush@nwhp.net
At the heart of the North West Housing Partnership’s mission is Paula Bush. Paula has led the organization’s growth and strategic vision with a steadfast commitment to expanding access to safe, quality, and affordable housing for individuals, families, older adults, and underserved communities.
A recognized leader in the housing industry, Paula combines expertise in housing counseling, community development, and real estate development with a passion for creating lasting opportunities. She is a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, holds an Executive Certification in Home Modification from the University of Southern California, and is an alumna of the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Under Paula’s leadership, the North West Housing Partnership has expanded its regional impact through innovative housing initiatives, strategic partnerships, and community-driven development. She has helped secure and implement grant-funded programs that provide down payment assistance, closing cost support, foreclosure prevention services, and pathways to homeownership throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Collaboration is central to Paula’s approach. She has worked with leading institutions to advance housing and aging-in-place solutions, including participation in the CAPABLE Project through Johns Hopkins University and partnership efforts with the University of Chicago focused on improving outcomes for older adults. Through these collaborations, she has championed innovative models that support independent living, health, and housing stability.
Beyond her leadership at NWHP, Paula is actively engaged in advancing housing and community development initiatives across the region. She serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for Elgin Senior Solutions and as a Board Director for Housing Action Illinois, helping shape policies and programs that promote equitable housing opportunities and stronger communities.
Paula’s leadership, innovation, and dedication have earned industry recognition, including the Leadership and Innovation Award for her contributions to expanding access to equitable housing and creating meaningful community impact.
Through strategic vision, partnership, and advocacy, Paula continues to lead efforts that strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities, and improve quality of life for the communities NWHP serves.
Michelle Hill
NWHP Program Director
847-969-0561 Ext. 221
michellehill@nwhp.net
Michelle S. Hill, MBA, ECHM serves as the Program Director and HUD Certified Housing Counselor. Michelle joined the NWHP team in 2011. Michelle has a passion to further promote and advocate fair housing for all and foster relationships within the housing industry.
Michelle directs community development projects, homeowner rehabilitation, and homebuyer/down payment assistance programs for numerous municipalities and partners. Michelle holds an Executive Certification in Home Modification, an Associate in Arts degree from Harper College, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from DePaul University, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University, both graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2019, Michelle was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and is an active member.
She currently serves on the Northern Illinois University MBA Board of Executive Advisors and is often called upon for her skills and knowledge in housing counseling, homebuyer education, housing grant assistance, and construction administration protocol.
Debbie Kiszkowski
Office Manager
847-969-0561
dkiszkowski@nwhp.net
Debbie Kiszkowski is the Operations Manager and Bookkeeper. She joined the NWHP team in 2016 with extensive experience supporting NWHP’s affordable housing initiatives through effective systems management, compliance oversight, and internal process improvement. She is skilled in coordinating office operations, vendor relationships, data tracking, and grant or funder reporting. Debbie brings a mission-focused, detail-oriented approach to strengthening organizational performance.
Debbie holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Triton College and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Development from Northeastern University.
Michael "Mike" Whelan
Project Manager
847-969-0561
Michael “Mike” Whelan is an experienced affordable housing project manager with over 30 years in construction oversight funded through CDBG and IHDA. He has successfully managed affordable housing and housing stabilization projects from planning through closeout, with responsibility for scope development, village inspections and making sure projects adhere to budget and timelines.
Mike holds multiple certifications in lead renovation, property maintenance, building code and enforcement, and fire prevention. He is committed to advancing equitable and accessible housing, he works closely with municipalities, service providers, and residents to ensure projects align with community needs while meeting rigorous public funding requirements.
North West Housing Partnership Organizational Chart
Partner Pages
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development- Approved Housing Counseling Agency
NWHP adheres to non-discriminatory practices and is an equal employment employer and serve clients with the greatest economic and social need, low-moderate income minority & persons with limited English proficiency.