Housing Action Illinois was proud to welcome Jennifer Taff, Executive Director at DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity, as a member of our Board of Directors in 2024.
Jennifer’s personal journey fuels her passion for housing justice and affordability. In 2008, Jennifer and her husband were newly married, expecting their first child, and brimming with hope as they bought their first home. “We had stable jobs, decent income, and the world was our oyster,” she recalls. But like all too many, they were victims of predatory lending practices as the Great Recession began.
What began as a joyful step into homeownership quickly unraveled as property taxes surged, and their mortgage ballooned. Within a few years, they had both lost their jobs. “We had two children under three, and our mortgage payment took every penny of unemployment,” she says. With nowhere to turn, and limited knowledge of available resources, they ultimately had to short-sell their home and rebuild from scratch.
That experience– painful, destabilizing, and eye-opening– continues to motivate Jennifer’s work with DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity today. “I know the fear of hardworking families who might be homeless simply because they can’t afford their housing payment. I never want another family to feel as alone as we did.”
Jennifer Taff, Executive Director of DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity
A part-time role at Habitat for Humanity turned into a 13-year (and counting) career. Today, Jennifer serves as the Executive Director, leading efforts to build affordable homes and offer responsible financing to families who need it most.
To Jennifer, home is more than a structure. “It’s where you gather, grow, and make it your own– like when we painted our kitchen in the colors of the Irish flag.” That sense of pride and personal connection is why she brings her full self to her work at Habitat for Humanity, and the Housing Action Illinois board.
As she looks to the future, Jennifer is excited about Habitat’s upcoming development in West Chicago, and the ripple effect it could have. Her hope for 2025 is to continue expanding access to safe, stable housing and break down barriers that stand in the way. “If I can lend my voice, my network, or just spread the word, I’m in. We need many voices in the room to make real change.”