We’re looking for someone passionate about housing justice to build public understanding of our issues through educational materials, diversify our revenue, and leverage our 40th anniversary year.
About Housing Action Illinois
Housing Action Illinois is a statewide coalition that has been leading the movement to protect and expand the availability of quality, affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois for nearly 40 years. Our 200+ member organizations include housing counseling agencies, homeless service providers, developers of affordable housing, and policymakers. We bring everyone together to work toward an Illinois where everyone has a stable, good home.
Our AmeriCorps VISTA will raise awareness and deepen understanding of affordable housing and homelessness by creating educational materials, updating our website, sharing the impact of our programs, and contributing to both print and digital communications. They will help us collect, document, and celebrate 40 years of impact. Additionally, they will collaborate with our team to identify and apply for funding opportunities, helping us diversify and strengthen our resources.
To achieve these goals, we’re looking for someone who is passionate about housing justice, interested in communications and development, and eager to foster collaboration among housing organizations across Illinois. A competitive candidate will have excellent writing skills, be highly organized and motivated to learn, take initiative, and thrive while managing a wide variety of projects.
Since this position is a part of the larger network of VISTAs serving within Housing Action’s network, you will receive training, support, guidance, and networking opportunities in addition to the traditional opportunities for AmeriCorps VISTA positions. Learn more about the program at Housing Action’s website. This position will start on September 8.
Responsibilities:
- Organize archives, collect oral histories, document accomplishments, and plan ways to celebrate 40 years of impact to leverage Housing Action’s anniversary year.
- Build awareness and understanding of homelessness and affordable housing and our coalition’s role in addressing these issues in Illinois. Projects include updating our website, creating content for newsletters, and developing programmatic videos and animated explainers.
- Expand and diversify our resources in collaboration with staff by identifying and applying to prospective funders and strengthening individual giving campaigns.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.
- At least 6 months to one year of professional, volunteer, or internship experience in a non-profit or agency setting strongly preferred; previous communications and project management experience preferred.
- Education background in communications, journalism, marketing, political science, or English preferred.
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in web-based research and Microsoft Office. Open to learning website content management and other website training.
- Excellent writing skills, strong attention to detail, and good interpersonal skills.
- Familiarity with social media channels desired; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) a plus.
- Knowledge of or experience in fundraising and event planning a plus.
- Knowledge of or experience in affordable housing and homelessness a plus.
Compensation and Benefits:
This is a one-year position. Full-year AmeriCorps members serving in Illinois in 2026–2027 will receive a living allowance of $24,962 per year, distributed biweekly.
This position offers a $300 monthly stipend for housing, transportation, and/or groceries.
Benefits funded by AmeriCorps VISTA include:
- Forbearance/deferment of student loan payments during term of service
- Non-competitive eligibility status for federal jobs
- Healthcare allowance & special enrollment period
- Leave Days: 10 personal & 10 medical
- If Eligible: Relocation payment (50+ miles)
- If Eligible: Child Care Assistance
- After successful completion of the term, the choice of an Education Award ($7,395) or an End-of-Service Cash Stipend ($1,803)
Hybrid:
This position will be remote for 4 days per week and in the office 1 day per week.
To Apply:
Please apply to this position via the AmeriCorps portal; you can find the posting in the portal here.