Latest Updates
Recent Updates
2025 Policy Agenda
For nearly forty years, Housing Action Illinois has led the movement to expand affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois. Our annual policy agenda serves as a roadmap for our advocacy work, which aims to ensure that everyone in Illinois has a safe,...
New Report: Rethinking Housing Code Enforcement to Prioritize Health, Safety, and Equity
A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Code Enforcement as a Tool for Safe, Equitable & Affordable Housing, explores the impact of local housing code enforcement on health, safety, and stability. Despite the...
Announcing the Cairo Housing Needs Action Plan
Housing Action Illinois, in partnership with local leaders, residents, and government officials, has published a Cairo Housing Needs Action Plan that explores the pressing housing challenges faced by the City of Cairo, Illinois and shares actionable steps to address...
Going National with My Path to Home
Housing Action Illinois is excited to announce the nationwide launch of My Path to Home (MPTH), an innovative online platform that connects individuals and families with housing counseling services. Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home, avoid...
Giving Everyone the Opportunity to Work on Financial Wellness: Spotlight on La Casa de Esperanza
“Everyone deserves an opportunity to work on their financial wellness,” says Gina Sanchez, Director of Center for Financial Stability of La Casa de Esperanza. This belief is the foundation of La Casa De Esperanza’s people-centered approach in their financial education...
Our Steadfast Commitment
Housing Action Illinois will always be steadfast in our mission to protect and expand affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois. The results of the federal election are reshaping our political landscape, and we know that challenges and uncertainty lie...
Where Are They Now: Housing Action Corps Alumni
After serving as the Financial Literacy Development VISTA at Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH), Audrey Carberry was excited to accept a full-time staff position at their host site. They are looking forward to building on the relationships and communications skills...
Local Advocacy Opportunity: New List of Communities Must Complete Affordable Housing Plans
The Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (AHPAA) is an Illinois state law intended to encourage certain local governments to create more affordable housing. Housing Action recently advocated to strengthen this law. In December 2023, for the first time in five...
South Suburban PADS Member Spotlight
South Suburban PADS is a nonprofit based in Chicago Heights with the mission of preventing and ending homelessness in the South Suburbs of Chicago. The organization offers emergency shelter, support services, and affordable housing for people experiencing...
From Service to Certified: Housing Counseling Corps
Since 2010, Housing Action Corps has placed hundreds of AmeriCorps VISTA members with organizations across Illinois. AmeriCorps VISTA members in our network dedicate a year of full-time service to projects that build organizational capacity, advance housing...
Press Releases
Extreme Shortage of Rental Homes Results in Severe Burdens for Lowest Income Families with Children
Report finds only 34 affordable, available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households in IllinoisFor Immediate Release: March 16, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Proposed Law Will Seal Certain Eviction Records to Help People Find a Home
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – CHICAGO, IL – A new state legislative proposal will expand opportunities...
Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.4 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: August 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Newsletter
Media Placements
Judge temporarily blocks part of Trump’s funding cancellation, POLITICO Pro, 9/30/26
HUD Funding Notice Upends Counseling Assistance, Shelterforce, 8/27/26
Here’s what Illinois workers need to make an hour to afford rent, report says, Belleville News-Democrat, 8/18/26
Why Illinois ranks last in country for building housing, Fox 32, 8/7/26
Illinois ranks second to last in U.S. on building new housing, Crain’s Chicago Business, 8/4/26
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












