News
In the media
Wage gap puts housing out of reach for many Illinois residents: Kendall County Chronicle, 6/10/16
Affordable housing out of reach for many in Illinois: Chicago Citizen, 6/7/16
Illinois Renters Must Earn Nearly $20 An Hour To Afford A Modest Two-Bedroom Apartment, Report Finds: Progress Illinois, 5/25/16
New Report by Chicago Urban League Highlights Housing Segregation: Chicago Examiner, 4/21/16
Judge Orders Compensation For Elderly Black Victims Of Reverse Mortgage Scam: Chicago Reporter, 01/28/16
ISU Grad Student Helps Others Find Affordable Housing: ISU News, 01/25/16
Latest News
National Service Program Associate
Housing Action Illinois is a statewide coalition formed to protect and expand the availability of quality affordable housing throughout Illinois by advocating for increased public and private resources dedicated to affordable housing and by building the capacity of...
Strengthening Local Community through Jefferson County at Home
RoxAnne Witte, a housing counselor with Jefferson County at Home, Housing Action’s newest subgrantee, has noticed the gap between those who pursue housing counseling services and those who don’t widen over her 19-year career. “It’s changed a lot. When we first started...
Action Needed: Keep Immigrant Families Together
Deadline: All comments must be submitted by April 21, 2026. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed yet another policy that will destabilize immigrant families, putting Illinois seniors and children in particular at risk. In February, HUD...
Report Finds Deficit of Rental Units for Extremely Low-Income Renters in Illinois
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing...
Statement on Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) from Housing Organizations
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 Housing affordability and supply are not isolated local concerns. They are statewide...
Take Action: Oppose HUD’s Proposed Elimination of Crucial Fair Housing Regulations
Deadline: 4:00 pm CT on Friday, February 13, 2026 Housing Action Illinois invites organizations across the state to sign on to a letter opposing HUD’s proposal to eliminate its Fair Housing Act disparate impact regulations. HUD’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,...
Expanding Homeowner Support through a New HUD Program: Spotlight on H.O.M.E. DuPage
“I always thought that I wanted to help people,” explains Maria Luengas, Executive Director of H.O.M.E. DuPage, when asked how she ended up in the field of housing counseling. But in her prior work, “I wasn't necessarily helping people with their goals. So I looked...
2026 Policy Agenda
For nearly forty years, Housing Action Illinois has led the movement to expand affordable housing and end homelessness across our state. Our year-round collaboration with other advocates, our members and allies, direct service providers, and people with lived...
From Service Year to Staff Member: Catching Up with Housing Action Corps Alumni
Kadasha Hershey served not just one but two year-long terms as a Systems Change AmeriCorps VISTA at Community Opportunity Alliance before joining their staff as a Program Associate. She helps coordinate capacity building programs and membership operations, including...
Building Community Across Counties at Senior Services Plus
AmeriCorps VISTA Sandra Lee-Reams at Senior Services Plus’ annual open house
Press Releases
Report Finds Deficit of Rental Units for Extremely Low-Income Renters in Illinois
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing...
Statement on Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) from Housing Organizations
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 Housing affordability and supply are not isolated local concerns. They are statewide...
Housing Advocates Urge HUD to Avoid Forcing Thousands of Illinoisans into Homelessness
In a letter to Secretary Scott Turner, advocates outline importance of maintaining funding for housing programsFor Immediate Release: November 14, 2025Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois...
Affordable Housing is Out of Reach for Low-Wage Illinois Workers
Rent continues to be much higher than what many can afford; families face elimination of rent assistance under proposed federal cutsFor Immediate Release: July 17, 2025Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
New Report Highlights Harmful Effects of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, Urges Illinois to Strengthen Tenant Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025 Housing Action Illinois Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications and Development, 312-854-3333 (office), kristin@housingactionil.orgCLCCRUL Contact: Zindy Marquez, Director of Communications, 312.202.3657 (office),...
New Data Shows Dire Shortage of Affordable Homes in Illinois as Proposed Cuts Threaten to Worsen Crisis
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2025Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing...
Illinois Must Keep Increasing Investments to End Homelessness
After two years of significant budget increases, the proposed FY26 budget reduces existing funding For immediate release: February 19, 2025Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Illinois Housing Wage Reaches $28, Rises Above $30 in Chicago Area
Overall state Housing Wage is $28.81, and many Illinois renters must earn more than $30 per hour to afford rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment For immediate release: June 27, 2024Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action...
New Data Reaffirms Long Standing Shortage of Affordable Homes For Extremely Low-Income Renters In Illinois And Chicago
For immediate release: March 14, 2024Contact: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois at 312-282-3959 or bob@housingactionil.org CHICAGO, IL – A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), The Gap: A...
Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act Coalition Introduces Legislation with Senator Villa and Representative Ford to End Discriminatory Housing Practices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2024 CONTACT: Zindy MarquezDirector of Communications312.202.3657 (office)zmarquez@clccrul.org SPRINGFIELD, IL – On Friday, February 9th, the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act Coalition joined Senator Karina Villa (25th...