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

Sign On to Endorse $855 Million for Illinois at Home
Illinois has the chance to use federal fiscal recovery funds to make significant investments in creating affordable housing and ending homelessness. Before the end of March, the Illinois General Assembly will make decisions about how to spend remaining federal fiscal...

Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.6 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: January 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...

Tell IL Members of Congress: Any Reconciliation Bill Must Include Housing Investments
In mid-January, President Biden confirmed a new strategy to advance the Build Back Better Act by scaling it down to only include components that will be supported by all Senate Democrats. At the moment, we are not clear whether housing funding is among the priorities...

2022 Policy Agenda
Each year, Housing Action Illinois works on a broad range of issues aligned with our core mission of creating an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable place to call home. Below are some of our priorities for the 2022 Illinois General Assembly session, as well...
Speak Up for a Strong IL CRA
Make sure the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act means real financial inclusion. The Illinois Community Reinvestment Act (IL CRA), passed in early 2021, gives us an opportunity to increase access to credit and capital in Illinois communities. The IL CRA will...

Report: Cook County Tax Sale Evictions Disproportionately Occur in Majority-Black Communities
Analysis shows most tax sale evictions occur on south, west sides of Chicago and suburban Cook County. For Immediate Release: November 15, 2021Contact: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, bob@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6075 COOK COUNTY - A new...

Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability Counseling Program Funding
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.

Tell Illinois’ Members of Congress: Build Back Better by Funding Affordable Housing as Infrastructure
We haven’t been this close to major investments in affordable housing in a generation. The Senate and House are entering what may be final negotiations on the Build Back Better Act, an infrastructure and economic recovery package. As members of Congress in Illinois...
Federally Funded Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
Learn about other COVID-19 resources related to housing and homelessness » Rental Assistance Available in Illinois September 2024 Update: We are no longer keeping this page up-to-date. If you need emergency rent assistance, please refer to the program requirements for...

Affordable Housing Is Out of Reach for the Lowest Income Renters In Illinois
Illinois renters must earn more than $20 per hour to afford rent, and while pandemic relief funding will help, federal infrastructure investment is critical Chicago — In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in Illinois, renters working full-time need to...
Press Releases
Statement by Housing Action Illinois Commending Representative Mike Quigley’s Vote Against Legislation Underfunding Critical Housing Assistance to Low-Income Families
Representative Mike Quigley, from Illinois' 5th Congressional District, who is on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, today voted against the 2015 Transportation-HUD funding bill, although the bill was ultimately approved. This bill will set funding for important...
House FY15 Federal Budget Proposal Contains Deep Cuts for Affordable Housing Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2014 CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org On May 7, the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee will likely approve...
Minimum Wage Earner in Illinois Must Work 84 Hours Per Week to Afford a Modest Home: Another Reason to Support a Minimum Wage Increase
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. CT CONTACT: Bob Palmer, Policy Director, Housing Action Illinois, 312-282-3959 (cell) or bob@housingactionil.org WASHINGTON, D.C.–Renters in Illinois need to earn $17.34 per hour...
Extreme Affordable Housing Shortage Continues For Illinois Renters
A new report shows that while the rental housing market may be booming, extremely low-income renters in Illinois are very unlikely to find an apartment they can afford. The report, Housing Spotlight: America’s Affordable Housing Shortage, and How to End It, jointly...