Resources to Prevent and End Homelessness

Housing Action Illinois does not provide direct assistance to people looking for affordable housing, but we hope that the following websites and resources might be of use.

Local Resources for Those Experiencing Homelessness

The resources below may be of use to prevent homelessness. For more information, use the tool above to see resources provided by your local CoC.

NEW: Illinois Pathways to Housing: Here you can find resources and information to help you connect with housing and related services throughout the state of Illinois.

2-1-1 is available in many counties in Illinois. Call 2-1-1 for any non-emergency crisis, such as food, shelter, rent and utility assistance. People can also call for physical and mental health resources and employment support, as well as any need that impacts seniors, persons with disabilities, children, youth and/or families.

HUD Resource Locator: A map-based tool to connect with building managers, public housing authority representatives, and property management companies to inquire about housing availability and other housing-related questions

Illinois Legal Aid Online provides lower-income and vulnerable Illinois residents with information about their legal rights and responsibilities, referrals to free and low cost legal aid offices, multimedia training and education, and forms and instructions for representing themselves. They also run Legal Answers, a virtual walk-in clinic where you can get answers to your legal questions for free from volunteer attorneys.

Help Illinois Families Initiative is an initiative launched in June 2020 to help Illinois families access and afford home energy assistance and other essential services during COVID-19. Building on the State’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the State’s Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) budget authorizes an expansion of the LIHEAP and CSBG programs for eligible Illinoisans seeking emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities.

Eviction Help Illinois provides free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources including rental assistance to increase housing stability. Mediation is an opportunity for landlords and tenants to resolve issues the help of a knowledgeable and neutral person.

For more information on rental assistance, housing counseling and legal aid among other things, visit our Get Help with Housing webpage.