Latest Updates
Newsletter
Recent Updates
Take Action to Help Mixed Status Immigrant Families Keep their Homes
On May 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposed rule that would prohibit mixed status families from living in public housing and other HUD assisted housing. Mixed status families are households that include both members...
2019 General Assembly Session Wrap Up: Major New Investments, Legislative Victories for Affordable Housing
With Governor JB Pritzker taking office, this was an extremely busy and productive General Assembly session, with final action on several key items, including the fiscal year 2020 budget and the first major capital budget since 2009, not being finalized until a brief...
Illinoisans Will Get to Vote on a Fair Tax. Thank Your Legislators!
We did it! State legislators voted to put the fair tax amendment on the November 2020 ballot, giving every voter in Illinois the opportunity to weigh in on whether the Fair Tax is right for Illinois. We need to thank our legislators for taking this step to put...
Build UP Illinois Applauds Governor Pritzker’s Proposal to Invest in Affordable Housing in Capital Budget
Proposal is a good foundation, but more is needed For Immediate Release: May 21, 2019For more information contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 SPRINGFIELD, IL – Community leaders and...
Call Your State Representative & Tell Them You Support a Fair Tax
We're closer than ever to a Fair Tax, but your State Representative needs to hear from you! We urge you to call 888-412-6570 right now to tell your State Representative you support a Fair Tax! Each day we come closer to a vote on the Fair Tax, our opponents are...
Just Housing Amendment passes, protecting over 1 million people in Cook County from housing discrimination
Amendment will ban housing discrimination against people with records and come into effect this November For Immediate Release: April 26, 2019 For more information contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Advocates Call for Fair Housing Protections for People With Arrest & Conviction Records
Just Housing Initiative amendment will ban housing discrimination based on records, supporting over 1 million Cook County adults while reducing recidivism and strengthening families For Immediate Release: April 16, 2019 For more information contact: Kristin Ginger,...
Report: Housing Demand Has Outpaced Supply, Especially for Low-Income Illinois Families
A new report shows that Illinois has only 35 available, affordable rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income households.
CMS Guide 2.0 Released to Help Housing Counseling Agencies Replace HCO
Housing Action Illinois has just published an updated version of its Guide to HUD-approved Client Management Systems (CMSs). The digital resource, which is available for free online, helps users assess their options through an at-a-glance comparison chart and detailed...
Diversifying Revenue through Social Enterprise
A social enterprise is a publicly responsible and innovative venture, driven by unmet community needs, that exists as a hybrid of the traditional nonprofit and business models. Broadly, these ventures can be classified into three categories defined by the Social...
Press Releases
Survey Results: The State Budget Impasse Is Causing Homelessness in Illinois
Advocates Call for a Responsible Budget with Adequate Revenue For Immediate Release: September 10, 2015 For more information contact: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois at 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org A survey of state-funded...
Reverse Mortgage Consumer Protections Signed Into Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2015 CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org State legislation to create consumer protections for seniors for considering a reverse mortgage, Senate Bill 1440, was...
Housing Action Illinois Awarded $307,000 in HUD Housing Counseling Funds: 12 Illinois and Indiana Agencies Will Receive Sub-Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2015 CONTACT: David Young, Director of Technical Assistance, Housing Action Illinois, at 312-939-6074 ext. 202 or david@housingactionil.org Housing Action Illinois received $307,000 to channel resources to 12 housing counseling agencies...
Media Placements
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