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
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,...
Last Chance: Speak Up on Federal CRA Rule Changes
We need to ensure real financial inclusion for all communities in the federal CRA. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), passed in 1977 in response to redlining, creates a continuing and affirmative responsibility for banks to make loans and investments in the...
Affordable Housing Is Out of Reach In Illinois for Low-Wage Workers
Illinois renters must earn nearly $23 per hour to afford rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment For Immediate Release: July 28, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
LGBTQ+ Elder Housing Initiative
While many seniors have difficulty finding affordable housing, LGBTQ+ elders face barriers that are both common and unique. As queer and transgender people age, they are less likely to have children or family that can support them as they age in place. Traditional...
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing: The Role of Housing Counselors
Fair housing is the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. This training is to help housing counselors better understand the how fair housing works in the United States and why it is so important. Learn about the history of the Fair Housing Act and...
Tell IL Legislators: Any Reconciliation Bill Must Include Housing Investments
After months of delays, the White House, congressional leaders, and key senators have restarted negotiations over a scaled-down reconciliation package. This bill could include robust housing investments targeted to people with the lowest incomes. We can't let this...
2022 General Assembly Wrap-Up
In this condensed General Assembly session, which ended on April 8, Housing Action Illinois and our partners had three significant victories that further our mission. Key Wins Securing Statewide Source of Income Fair Housing Protections After multiple campaigns...
One More Message From You Needed to Pass Source of Income Fair Housing Protections
Great news: The bill to create statewide source of income (SOI) housing protections, HB 2775, has passed the Senate and just needs one more vote by the full House before April 8. This legislation will create statewide fair housing protections in Illinois by making it...
Hearing Tomorrow: Support Source of Income Protections
Good news: The bill to create statewide source of income (SOI) fair housing protections, HB 2775, has been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee for a hearing on Wednesday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. This legislation will create statewide anti-discrimination housing...
Urge Legislators to Expand Source of Income Housing Protections for All Illinoisans
Illinois legislators have the chance to pass statewide source of income (SOI) housing protections before the General Assembly session ends on April 8. The proposed legislation, HB 2775, will strengthen existing local SOI discrimination laws and protect every resident...
Press Releases
Due to State Budget Impasse More than $107 Million in Dedicated Funds for Affordable Housing Are Going Unused
Without a State Budget the Affordable Housing Needs of More Than 172,000 People Will Be Needlessly Unmet For Immediate Release: December 21, 2015 For more information contact: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois at 312-282-3959 (cell) or...
Not Even A Place In Line for Illinois Families Who Need Affordable Housing
Congress Can Act Before Thanksgiving to Restore Housing Vouchers Lost to Budget Cuts For Immediate Release: November 4, 2015Contact: Bob Palmer Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org. Seventy-two percent of waiting...
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...
Reverse Mortgage Consumer Protections Legislation Passes General Assembly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2015 CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org or Maura Possley, Press Secretary, Illinois Attorney General, 312-914-2039 (cell) or mpossley@atg.state.il.us State...
Despite Renters in Illinois Needing to Earn $18.78 Per Hour in Order to Afford a Basic Two-Bedroom Apartment, House Budget Defunds National Housing Trust Fund
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. CT CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org Renters in Illinois need to earn $18.78 per hour in order to afford a basic two-bedroom apartment,...
Statements Applauding Decision to Release Funding for the National Housing Trust Fund
We are sharing with you the statement by Sheila Crowley, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), regarding yesterday's funding announcement for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). As NLIHC's state partner in Illinois, Housing...
Housing Action Illinois is Now a HUD Housing Counseling Intermediary
Coalition Uses Collaborative Approach in Developing Community Based Partnership Model Housing Action Illinois announced its designation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Intermediary, serving Illinois...
Report: Affordable Rental Housing Still Elusive For Lowest Income Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2014 CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org Report: Affordable Rental Housing Still Elusive For Lowest Income Americans According to Housing Spotlight: The...