Latest Updates
Newsletter
Recent Updates
Housing Wage in Illinois Now More than $30
For Immediate Release: July 23, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – Full-time workers need to earn $30.36 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom...
Deepening the Foundations of Community: Spotlight on Far South CDC
“If anyone comes to Far South and they say ‘I need help with housing’, they’re going to get service somehow, some way,” Director of Housing Services Cornelius Sams, Sr. says. “We don’t deny anyone that uses the word housing, because it's foundational to...
HUD Changes Could Push More than 5,000 Illinoisans Back Into Homelessness
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – A new analysis from the National Alliance to End Homelessness finds that 5,105...
Organizational Sign-On Letter: Protect the Equal Access Rule
Deadline: All comments must be submitted by 12:00 pm CT on Monday, June 29, 2026. Housing Action Illinois is urging organizations across the state to sign on to a letter opposing HUD’s proposed rescission of the Equal Access Rule (EAR). What is the Equal Access Rule?...
Applications Open for 2026-2027 Housing Action Corps Positions
Priority deadline to apply: July 17, 2026 Start date: September 8, 2026 Each year, Housing Action Corps matches AmeriCorps members with community-based organizations across Illinois. AmeriCorps is a national service program that connects people and organizations to...
2026 State Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Each year, Housing Action Illinois works at both the state and federal levels on a broad range of issues aligned with our core mission of creating an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable place to call home. Housing was a higher profile issue than usual...
Communications & Engagement VISTA
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...
Take Action to Support the Development of Missing Middle Housing
Join us in taking action to support the development of more affordable housing in Illinois communities. The Senate Executive Committee will hear testimony on numerous bills that support housing access and affordability at 1:30 pm TOMORROW (Thursday, April 23). This...
Sign-On Letter: Oppose HUD’s Proposed Work Requirements & Time Limits
Deadline: All comments must be submitted by April 21, 2026. Housing Action Illinois is urging organizations across the state to sign on to a letter opposing HUD’s proposed rule that would allow Public Housing Authorities and Project-Based Rental Assistance owners to...
Organizational Sign-On Letter to Tell HUD: Keep Families Together
Housing Action Illinois invites organizations across the state to sign on to a letter opposing HUD’s proposal to put mixed-status families living in HUD-funded housing at risk. In February, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposed...
Press Releases
Housing Wage in Illinois Now More than $30
For Immediate Release: July 23, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – Full-time workers need to earn $30.36 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom...
HUD Changes Could Push More than 5,000 Illinoisans Back Into Homelessness
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2026Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – A new analysis from the National Alliance to End Homelessness finds that 5,105...
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...
Media Placements
Housing Wage in Illinois Now More than $30, NewsBreak, 7/24/26
What the ROAD to Housing Act means for Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, 7/15/26
What federal housing reforms could mean for Evanston, Evanston Now, 6/29/26
Congress passes housing reform package. How would it impact the Chicago area?, WBEZ, 6/29/26
Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Capitol News Illinois, 6/12/26
Illinois is one step closer to banning ‘junk fees’ and hidden charges on renters, Chicago Tribune, 6/11/26
Opinion: Building homes isn’t enough. Buyers need help, too., Crain’s Chicago Business, 6/9/26
Homelessness Isn’t Throwaway Issue, Chicago Sun-Times, 5/30/26
What is the BUILD Act and what could it mean for homeowners in Illinois if it’s passed? NBC Chicago, 5/29/26
Debate grows over Pritzker’s proposed BUILD housing plan, Fox 32 Chicago, 5/29/26
Cook County tax buyer industry would be phased out in ‘equity theft’ reform bill, Chicago Tribune, 5/28/26
Unlocking MISMO Housing Counseling Data: Insights from Industry Leaders, Actualizing Success, 5/7/26
Community organizers support Illinois bill restricting penalties for homelessness, The Daily Northwestern, 5/6/26
When the Feds Step Back on Fair Housing, Can States Step Up?, Shelterforce, 5/5/26
Illinois bill would curb homelessness penalties, Axios Chicago, 4/16/26
Even the Midwest Wants to Encourage More Housing Density, Heatmap, 4/9/26
Peoria new housing has significantly dropped since 2004, Central Illinois Proud, 4/6/26
City program wants to bring more families to the South Side and West Side one vacant lot at a time, Chicago Sun-Times, 4/3/26
Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws, Injustice Watch, 3/26/26
City Clears North Side Encampment Amid Cold Snap As Residents Wait For Housing, Block Club Chicago, 3/17/26
The Rundown: A Chicagoan’s life after deportation, WBEZ, 3/9/26
Moore: Pritzker embraces ‘abundance’ agenda with housing, nuclear proposals, Capitol News Illinois, 3/6/26
Chicago area short nearly 225,000 affordable rental units for its poorest residents, report finds, Chicago Sun-Times, 3/6/26
Will Governor Pritzker’s budget actually make housing more affordable?, WBEZ, 2/26/26
Fair housing groups hold informational session on housing voucher rights, Evanston RoundTable, 2/24/26
Proposed cuts to housing-first programs would be ‘going back like 30 years’, advocates warn, Chicago Tribune, 2/17/26
Budzinski Leads Illinois House Democrats in Demanding HUD Strengthen Housing Protections, RiverBender, 2/14/26
It’s crunch time for Cook County tax sales — and so far, Springfield isn’t helping, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/12/26
New Humboldt Park Affordable Apartment Building Welcomes Residents: ‘I Can Breathe Now’, Block Club Chicago, 2/12/26
Plans are underway to end Cook County’s property tax sales, WBEZ, 2/12/26
Federal actions could make an affordable housing shortage worse, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/9/26
Under Trump, HUD hardens the policies behind a program meant to shelter the city’s homeless population, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/9/26