News
In the media
Wage gap puts housing out of reach for many Illinois residents: Kendall County Chronicle, 6/10/16
Affordable housing out of reach for many in Illinois: Chicago Citizen, 6/7/16
Illinois Renters Must Earn Nearly $20 An Hour To Afford A Modest Two-Bedroom Apartment, Report Finds: Progress Illinois, 5/25/16
New Report by Chicago Urban League Highlights Housing Segregation: Chicago Examiner, 4/21/16
Judge Orders Compensation For Elderly Black Victims Of Reverse Mortgage Scam: Chicago Reporter, 01/28/16
ISU Grad Student Helps Others Find Affordable Housing: ISU News, 01/25/16
Latest News
Applications Open for 2025 Housing Action Corps Positions
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 help end poverty and strengthen communities. AmeriCorps members take on a...
Tens of Thousands in Illinois at Risk of Homelessness Under President’s Budget Proposal
President Trump’s high-level budget proposal, released on May 2, proposes combining five rental assistance programs—Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, project-based rental assistance, Section 202 Housing for the Elderly and Section 811 Housing for Persons with...
Setback in DC, Progress in IL
In October 2023, after years of advocacy, long-overdue updates were made to the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)—a critical law designed to ensure banks meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income communities. These rule changes reflected the realities...
Action Alert: Defend the Nonprofit Sector & AmeriCorps
In the past few weeks, we have seen a sharp escalation in attacks on the nonprofit sector, deep federal staff and funding cuts, and serious threats to the programs that help build strong, thriving communities. Now more than ever, your voice is needed. Stand with us to...
2025 Mid-Session Legislative Update
This year’s state legislative session has been moving at its usual hectic pace. Our team continues to spend plenty of time in Springfield to meet with representatives and their staff, attend hearings, and do everything we can to move our 2025 Policy Agenda forward....
New Report Highlights Harmful Effects of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, Urges Illinois to Strengthen Tenant Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025 Housing Action Illinois Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications and Development, 312-854-3333 (office), kristin@housingactionil.orgCLCCRUL Contact: Zindy Marquez, Director of Communications, 312.202.3657 (office),...
New Data Shows Dire Shortage of Affordable Homes in Illinois as Proposed Cuts Threaten to Worsen Crisis
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2025Contact: 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...
Housing Action Illinois Receives Contribution from Midland States Bank Foundation
For Immediate Release: March 10, 2025Housing Action Illinois Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications and Development, 312-854-3333Midland States Bank Contact: Anna Strong, Marketing Manager, 217-540-2838 CHICAGO, IL – Housing Action Illinois is pleased to...
Illinois Must Keep Increasing Investments to End Homelessness
After two years of significant budget increases, the proposed FY26 budget reduces existing funding For immediate release: February 19, 2025Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Protect Federal Housing Resources: Congress Needs to Hear from You
Federal housing programs that keep people in stable homes are under attack. Instead of increasing support to tackle the longstanding housing crisis, many members of Congress are pushing harmful budget cuts to spending on basic human needs—threatening homelessness...
Press Releases
Landmark State Legislation Will Create Affordable Housing Incentives
Major omnibus legislation awaiting Governor Pritzker’s signature will increase & preserve affordable housing throughout Illinois Chicago — On Monday, May 31, the Illinois General Assembly passed major omnibus legislation, House Bill 2621, to increase the supply of...
New Cook County Renter Rights & Protections Take Effect June 1
Ordinance extends protections to more than 200,000 renters For Immediate Release: June 1, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – On June 1, 2021, all provisions of the...
Illinois COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act Creates Critical Protections for Renters & Homeowners
Chicago — On Monday, May 17, Governor Pritzker signed the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act into law, creating a strong set of protections for Illinoisans struggling to pay their rent or mortgages as a result of unprecedented economic instability caused by the pandemic....
COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act Passes House & Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
The COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act will create protections for Illinoisans struggling to pay their rent or mortgages as a result of unprecedented economic instability caused by the pandemic. After many months of work, the bill (HB 2877) passed in the Illinois House in...
New State Community Reinvestment Law Takes Aim at Lending Disparities
Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act into law, making Illinois the second state with oversight to ensure equitable investment For Immediate Release: March 23, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois,...
Illinois Doesn’t Have Enough Affordable Rental Homes, Especially for Families with the Lowest Incomes & Renters with Disabilities
Report finds only 39 affordable, available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households in Illinois For Immediate Release: March 18, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign Welcomes New State Grantees, Including Housing Action Illinois
For Immediate Release: February 1, 2021 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 The Opportunity Starts at Home multi-sector affordable homes campaign is pleased to announce that it has...
Cook County Board unanimously passes historic Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance, extending renter protections to 245,000 suburban households
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2021 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the Residential Tenant...
Advocates Call on Cook County Commissioners to Pass Basic Renter Rights
Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance will make rental landscape fairer for suburban renters For Immediate Release: January 25, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO –...
Illinois Community Reinvestment Act Passed by General Assembly as Part of Black Caucus’ Economic Equity Pillar
For Immediate Release: January 13, 2021 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333, Brent Adams, Senior Vice President of Policy & Communication, badams@woodstockinst.org, 312-368-0310...