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
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...
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...
Press Releases
Housing Action Illinois to Create New Data Standard for Housing Counseling Industry
Initiative will help quantify & qualify program impacts, position agencies to better serve consumers For Immediate Release: August 3, 2020 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO...
Housing Action Awarded $1 Million in Housing Counseling Funds
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.
Report: Rent Unaffordable for Illinoisans Even Before Pandemic, Relief Needed to Prevent Evictions
Renters must earn more than $20 per hour to afford rent, federal relief needed to prevent wave of evictions and homelessness FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2020CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
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...
Housing Action Illinois Awards $340,000 to Homeless Service Providers Throughout State
30 homeless service providers throughout Illinois receive funds to support people who are homeless or unstably housed FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Housing Action Illinois Awarded $340,000 to Distribute to Homeless Service Providers
Funds will be regranted to nonprofits throughout Illinois to support people who are homeless or unstably housed FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Housing Advocacy Groups Call On Governor Pritzker to Urge Banks to Prevent Foreclosures Due to COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2020 CONTACT: A.M. Triche, NHS Marketing & Communications, atriche@nhschicago.org or 312-619-7771 Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333...
Report: Affordable Housing Scarce in Illinois, Census to Affect Related Programs
Illinois has only 36 available, affordable rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income households; the 2020 census will determine funding for federal programs that alleviate shortage FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of...