Media
Press Releases
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...
Housing Action Illinois Executive Director Wins National Community Development Award
National Community Development Leadership Award Presented to Housing Action Illinois Leader Sharon LegenzaFor Immediate Release: October 26, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org...
Affordable Rental Housing Is Out of Reach In Illinois
Illinois renters must earn more than $24 per hour to afford rent for a modest two-bedroom apartmentFor Immediate Release: June 14, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Housing Action In The Media
2025
GoFundMe campaigns for food and housing increase 20% in 2025, WBEZ, 12/23/25
H.U.D. Won’t Renew Existing Contracts to Aid Homeless, Streetwise, 12/2/25
Spotlight on Pro Bono: A Home for the Holidays, The Bar News, 12/1/25
Budzinski intervenes in local housing dispute on behalf of low-income residents, Capitol News Illinois, 11/25/25
City Plans on Closing North Park Homeless Encampment Next Year, Block Club Chicago, 11/18/25
New Federal Rules Could Put Formerly Unhoused People Back Out on The Streets Across Illinois, Illinois Answers Project, 11/18/25
Illinois groups urge Trump Administration to reconsider plan they say risks homelessness, ABC NewsChannel 20/WICS, 11/17/25
As affordable homes vanish, Rockford leaders seek solutions to a mounting crisis, WTVO ABC 17 | WQRF FOX 39 | MyStateline.com, 11/13/25
State Tax Credit Roundup: The Upper Midwest, Tax Credit Advisor, 11/3/25
Capital One partners with Chicago nonprofit to fund ideas for affordable housing solutions, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/29/2025
(click here for audio), WGLT, 10/17/25
DeKalb tenants, landlords invited to learn about new fair housing bill, Shaw Local, 9/24/25
Rent is becoming unaffordable to Illinoisans according to new report, WMBD, 7/31/25
North Park Homeless Encampment to be Shut Down After Recent Fires: ‘Where Will I Go?’, Block Club Chicago, 7/30/25
Why is it So Expensive to Build Affordable Housing in Chicago? Block Club Chicago, 7/28/25
Cutting Housing Counseling is a Grave Mistake, The Progressive, 7/25/25
Federal housing credit expansion could increase affordable rental units in Illinois: report, Capitol News Illinois, 7/22/2025
Pritzker to sign crackdown on squatters, spokesperson confirms, NBC Chicago, 7/21/2025
Are modular homes and ‘granny flats’ the answer to Chicago’s housing crisis? WBEZ Chicago, 7/15/2025
Eye On Illinois: ‘Functional zero’ homelessness target moving wrong direction, Shaw Local News Network, 7/8/2025
Housing funding cut in Illinois budget as homelessness increases, Capitol News Illinois, 7/4/25
Chicago area ranks among nation’s most expensive rental markets, Crain’s Chicago Business, 7/3/25
Illinois rental assistance program sees funding cut for 2026 budget in another blow to state, city housing programs, Chicago Tribune, 6/5/25
Cook County hits pause on tax sales deemed unconstitutional, Crain’s Chicago Business, 6/4/25
Programs for low income and homeless people are on the federal chopping block, NPR Illinois, 5/29/25
When Seniors Face Expensive Home Repairs, the Solutions Can be a Lifeline…Or Leave Their Families an Inheritance of Debt, Illinois Answers Project, 5/27/25
Illinois is the last state still unlawfully stripping wealth from homeowners in tax foreclosures, Chicago Sun-Times, Investigative Project on Race and Equity and Injustice Watch, 5/16/25
‘Crime Free Housing’ ordinances sometimes used to evict tenants with minor offense, WGN-TV, 5/14/25
Investigation shows how even minor offenses can lead to eviction in Illinois under so called ‘crime free housing’ laws, WBEZ/Reset, 5/14/25
Under ‘Crime-Free Housing’ Laws, Families May Be Evicted for Minor Offenses, New York Times, 5/13/25
Chicago This Week Episode E3, CAN TV, 4/28/25
How Housing Code Enforcement Shapes Stability and Access to Safe Homes, Urban Institute’s Housing Matters, 4/17/25
Illinois bill would limit ‘crime-free’ laws that evict tenants for too many 911 calls, Chicago Sun Times, 4/6/25
Affordable Rental Housing Shortage, WGN News, 3/27/25
Homeless decriminalization bill makes it to the House Floor, WAND TV, 3/24/25
New report highlights affordable housing crisis for low-income renters in the Quad Cities, WQAD 8, 3/20/25
Housing experts worry about federal plans to cut homelessness programs, NPR Illinois/91.9 UIS, 3/19/25
IL Senate committee approves bill protecting families from crime free housing evictions, WAND TV, 3/19/25
Trump’s HUD cuts would devastate Illinois, Chicago Sun-Times, 3/10/25
Opinion: Trump administration wants to gut HUD. Illinois can’t afford to lose it., Crain’s Chicago Business, 3/7/25
Government officials: Criminalizing homelessness is not a solution, Chicago Tribune, 3/6/25
Concerns over homeless prevention programs rise as cuts loom, WCIA, 2/25/25
Gov. Pritzker’s proposal to fund resources for the homeless in Illinois, Our Quad Cities News, 2/24/25
Extra rent fees could be banned in new rental transparency bill, WAND TV, 2/14/25
Advocates ask Illinois lawmakers to increase funding for the unhoused in new budget, WGLT, 2/4/25
Homelessness could no longer be a crime under a new plan filed in Springfield, WAND TV, 1/24/25
County is short millions for supportive housing, NPR Illinois, 1/21/25
Housing Action Illinois and Heartland Housed among many asking for state budget increase, Fox Illinois, 1/8/25
2024
2024 Media Placements
Chicago program merging migrant, homeless services starts in new year, News Nation, 12/31/24
Human Right: Five Funders Backing Housing Justice, Inside Philanthropy, 12/13/24
Q&A: HUD official on preparing the next generation of homeowners, WGLT, 10/18/24
Minimum wage workers in Illinois need 2 full-time jobs to make rent, housing report finds, Belleville News-Democrat, 8/14/24
Chicago, Illinois Advocates Hope Impact of Supreme Court’s Homelessness Ruling Muted Locally, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, 7/1/24
State adds two migrant shelters months before DNC, causing objections from lawmakers, Chicago Tribune, 6/28/24
Illinois Legislature Provides A Roadmap For Progress With Its State-Level Community Reinvestment Act, NCRC, 6/17/24
Illinois made a bold promise to end poverty. In Alexander County, it’s hard to tell., Northern Public Radio, 6/11/24
After 3 years, state poised to enforce law aiming to end lending discrimination, Capitol News Illinois, 4/30/24
Congresswoman Ramirez, Housing Leaders Unveil the Future of Housing: Bold, Progressive, Affordable, Sustainable, Press Release, 4/26/24
Illinois Community Reinvestment Act, The Woodstock Report on WVON1690 AM, 4/24/24
Over 100 groups demand action: United call for vote count in Bring Chicago Home case, Chicago Crusader, 3/2/24
It’s getting harder for towns to ignore their lack of affordable housing, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/26/24
Op-ed: Illinois should protect tenants, property owners from harms of ‘crime-free’ housing laws, Chicago Tribune, 2/23/24
One of Chicago’s toughest problems is creating homes for the unhoused, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/15/24
Proposal in Springfield seeks to stop evictions spurred by police calls, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/9/24
What’s the best way to count Chicago’s homeless population?, WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons, 1/29/24
Aurora group seeks to support migrants as they discuss ongoing challenges in the city, Nothern Public Radio, 1/24/24
2023
2023 Media Placements
Rep. Davis joins in introducing bill that helps pay rent, Chicago Crusader 12/26/23
Bring Chicago Home: Guess who’s saying no again, Windy City Times 12/4/23
Task force to recommend property tax payment plan to prevent homeowner displacement, The Crusader, 8/22/23
A Controversial Investment Tool Is Devastating Homeowners, Dwell, 8/21/23
Task Force to Recommend Property Tax Payment Plan to Prevent Homeowner Displacement, The Southland Journal, 8/14/23
Where are most vacant homes in St. Clair County and what can communities do about it?, Belleville News-Democrat, 6/29/23
New report finds that affordable rental housing is nearly out of reach in Illinois, WICS ABC 7, 6/23/23
Illinois to spend over $350 million to address homelessness, The Center Square, 6/20/23
Debt ceiling deal could mean fewer Housing Choice Vouchers to go around, advocate warns, WCBU, 6/20/23
Affordable rental housing is out of reach for millions of low-wage workers, WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons, 6/16/23
Studies show rent prices outpacing wages in Illinois, WMBD, 6/15/23
Can’t afford a 2-bedroom rental in Chicago? There’s a reason why, WGN Radio, 6/14/23
What does it take to afford a 2-bedroom rental in Chicago? New report finds wages still lagging, Chicago Tribune, 6/14/23
Housing associations discuss affordable housing crisis resolutions, WICS ABC 7, 5/17/23
Black families to benefit, eventually, from income discrimination ban in Illinois, News and Tribune, 5/11/23
Heat Exposure Deaths Inspire Proposed Air Conditioning Requirements in Illinois, The Southland Journal, 4/23/23
Cook County’s property tax system needs reform. Here’s how to fix it., Chicago Sun-Times, 4/19/23
Toward Permanent Renter Protections, PD&R Edge, 4/18/23
Where are seniors supposed to live? Daily Journal, 4/15/23
HUD Training Partners in Action: Housing Action Illinois, Housing Counseling Today, 4/13/23
The rent is still too high for many Peorians to afford, WCBU, 3/28/23
Closing the affordable housing gap in Illinois, WBEZ’s Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons, 3/23/23
Affordable Rental Housing Crisis in Illinois, WCBU’s On Deck, 3/21/23
Will Community Benefits Extend Past Woodlawn?, South Side Weekly, 3/21/23
Report: Extreme shortage of rental homes in Illinois for low income families, WREX-TV, 3/17/23
Saving Black homes lost to tax inequity: A decades-old practice of selling tax debt is still causing families to lose their homes, The Emancipator (The Boston Globe), 2/22/23
Pritzker proposes $49.6 billion budget prioritizing education, human services, WAND-TV, 2/15/23
Southland legislator says bill would help prevent homeowners losing properties due to back taxes, Daily Southtown, 2/1/2023
Tax Sale Reform Bill addresses longtime displacement of Black and Brown families, Chicago Crusader, 1/25/2023