Latest Updates
Newsletter
Recent Updates
Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.6 Million to Distribute to Housing Counseling Agencies & Host National Trainings
Housing Action will distribute subgrants to 35 housing counseling organizations and facilitate national trainings for agencies For Immediate Release: January 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Tell IL Members of Congress: Any Reconciliation Bill Must Include Housing Investments
In mid-January, President Biden confirmed a new strategy to advance the Build Back Better Act by scaling it down to only include components that will be supported by all Senate Democrats. At the moment, we are not clear whether housing funding is among the priorities...
2022 Policy Agenda
Each year, Housing Action Illinois works 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. Below are some of our priorities for the 2022 Illinois General Assembly session, as well...
Access to Justice: North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
“People often think that housing problems don’t exist in the suburbs,” says Nareen Kim, Director of Housing Law Practice at North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic. “But the housing landscape has changed.” Suburban renters include families and individuals who are low-income,...
Speak Up for a Strong IL CRA
Make sure the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act means real financial inclusion. The Illinois Community Reinvestment Act (IL CRA), passed in early 2021, gives us an opportunity to increase access to credit and capital in Illinois communities. The IL CRA will...
Growing Hope in 2021
Growing Hope in 2021Although 2021 was another challenging year, we are proud of the achievements of our communities, members, and allies in our ongoing work to end homelessness and expand affordable housing. We invite you to celebrate these accomplishments and the...
Report: Cook County Tax Sale Evictions Disproportionately Occur in Majority-Black Communities
Analysis shows most tax sale evictions occur on south, west sides of Chicago and suburban Cook County. For Immediate Release: November 15, 2021Contact: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, bob@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6075 COOK COUNTY - A new...
Warehouse Workers for Justice: Finding Strength Together
In 2008, Republic Windows and Doors union workers occupied the factory they were working at after discovering the company was going to close down. The workers demanded that the company pay out their benefits and vacation days, and eventually won millions of dollars in...
Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability Counseling Program Funding
CHICAGO – HUD has awarded $1,000,206 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute funds to local nonprofits whose housing counseling programs help families rent or buy safe, affordable homes and prevent foreclosures. This year’s network of 33 housing counseling agencies, listed below, serve communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.
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...
Press Releases
Housing Action Illinois Awards $145,000 to Homeless Service Providers Throughout State
As pandemic continues, 14 homeless service providers throughout Illinois receive funds for emergency programs that support people who are homeless or face housing instability FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2020CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications &...
Letter to Banking Regulators: Use CRA to Address Racism
Housing Action Illinois joined with a group of 39 allies, including community organizations and state officials, to urge federal banking regulators to use the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) as a tool to address structural racism embedded in the financial system. In...
Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago Advocates Decry Plan to Weaken Anti-Redlining Rules
During Pandemic, Federal Banking Regulator Intends to Gut Community Reinvestment Act FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333From...
Media Placements
Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Capitol News Illinois, 6/12/26
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