Latest Updates
Tell Illinois’ Members of Congress: Build Back Better by Funding Affordable Housing as Infrastructure
We haven’t been this close to major investments in affordable housing in a generation. The Senate and House are entering what may be final negotiations on the Build Back Better Act, an infrastructure and economic recovery package. As members of Congress in Illinois...
How to Save to Buy Your First Home | Tips from 2021 Housing Matters Sponsor JPMorgan Chase
Thank you to JPMorgan Chase for its generous Platinum-level sponsorship of Housing Action Illinois’ 2021 Housing Matters Conference. JPMorgan Chase has committed to spending $30 billion to advance racial equity over the next five years. In addition to mortgage...
Central Illinois Land Bank Authority: Revitalizing Communities
A common misconception about land banks is that they only work to demolish deteriorating properties. That’s not the case, says Mike Davis, Executive Director of the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA). While much of CILBA’s work involves redeveloping...
New State Law Creates Property Tax Incentive to Create and Preserve Affordable Rental Homes
Key Points Encourages owners of multifamily rental housing to make improvements and repairs to their property while keeping rents at an affordable level to residents in the community. In higher cost markets, new construction rental buildings with 7+ units will be...
LIFE CIL: Paths to Independence
“I think people are just amazed by the fact that we treat them as people,” says Brianne Anderson, Administrative Services Director, when asked to describe how LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) approaches those who come to them for support. “Our philosophy...
Lazarus House Spotlight: Rooted in Community
Lazarus House, an emergency shelter in St. Charles, Illinois, first opened its doors in 1997. In the 24 years since then, its mission has always been to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless. The organization...
Federally Funded Emergency Rental Assistance Programs for 2021
Learn about other COVID-19 resources related to housing and homelessness » Visit IllinoisRentalAssistance.org to connect to a service provider who can help people apply for rent assistance and EvictionHelpIllinois.org for free legal assistance. Some Illinois counties...
New Initiative: Introducing the Housing Counseling Corps
Housing Action Illinois is excited to bring together two of our programs—supporting housing counseling agencies and managing a network of AmeriCorps VISTA Members—for a new initiative: the Housing Counseling Corps. We plan to launch this initiative in the fall of...
Affordable Housing Is Out of Reach for the Lowest Income Renters In Illinois
Illinois renters must earn more than $20 per hour to afford rent, and while pandemic relief funding will help, federal infrastructure investment is critical Chicago — In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in Illinois, renters working full-time need to...
2021 General Assembly Wrap-Up
During the recent Illinois General Assembly session, we celebrated a number of key wins for affordable housing and homelessness. A new understanding of housing as healthcare and willingness to invest in access to stable, affordable homes brought together many allies,...