Housing Action Corps
Host Sites
Make a bigger difference in your organization and community.
From launching new programs to growing volunteers and donors, Housing Action Corps members focus on projects that help their host sites enhance their services, resources, and partnerships to meet community needs in new ways.
Host a Housing Action Corps Member
Housing Action Corps places full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members with community organizations across Illinois and housing counseling agencies nationwide. Our network works hand-in-hand with organizations and AmeriCorps members throughout the year—from the first day of service to the last.
Host sites design and supervise projects for AmeriCorps members to create or expand their programs, services, and resources. Organizations must be coalition members of Housing Action; pay a participation fee; and provide work space, training, and equipment for their Housing Action Corps members.
In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members receive a biweekly stipend, health care and child care benefits, an education award or cash stipend, professional development, and non-competitive eligibility status for federal jobs.
Host Site Application Process
Housing Action Corps typically accepts applications for host sites from December to February each year. We begin recruiting for AmeriCorps members in April. Full-year AmeriCorps members usually serve with their host organizations from August to August.
Host sites must be members of the Housing Action Illinois coalition and pay a project participation fee after the position is recruited. For more information, please see the Host Site Application Resources Packet.
Applications to host 2024-2025 AmeriCorps members are now closed. We will reopen applications to host 2025-2026 AmeriCorps members in winter 2024.
Application Steps & Timeline
Host Site applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting in the winter. Housing Action Corps members serve for 12 months and typically start in August.
- December – Host Site Applications Open
- February – Host Site Applications Close
- March – Application Review Period & Submission to AmeriCorps
- April – Member Recruitment Starts
- May-July – Host Sites Interview Candidates
- August – Service Begins
Earlier start dates in June or July may be allowed in certain circumstances, but we strongly recommend starting in August.
What does an AmeriCorps project look like?
Housing Action Corps members primarily focus on projects related to housing and homelessness, but may also support projects that intersect with housing, such as education, hunger, health care, environment, and disaster services.
AmeriCorps VISTA projects aim to build the capacity of organizations to meet community needs by enhancing systems, resources, and strategies, rather than providing direct services. For example, members may help their host site build relationships with new partners; improve data collection and management; design a new program; and/or increase available resources, such as volunteers, donors, and grants. Note: Due to their participation in a federal program, AmeriCorps members are subject to certain regulations, including limitations on religious and political activities.
Host Sites propose AmeriCorps projects with structured goals and activities to enhance their current services or pilot new ideas. Explore two project cycles below and contact americorps@housingactionil.org for additional examples and templates.
Expanding an Existing Program
We have a program that works for our community, but lack resources to grow its scale and reach. An AmeriCorps member can improve access, awareness, and efficiency so we can serve more people.
Launching a New Program
We have an idea for a new program, but lack resources to develop and pilot it. An AmeriCorps member can research, prepare, evaluate, and launch this service for our community.
Timeline of Service Activities
Resources for Supervisors
Are you a current host site with Housing Action Corps? Contact americorps@housingactionil.org for the password to access our resource center.
Latest Updates
Want to hear from others who have hosted an AmeriCorps member? Check out testimonials from our AmeriCorps members’ supervisors »
Zeroing in on Food Insecurity and Health Disparities in Chicago Heights
When college students break for the summer, many find a temporary job or internship to build professional experience. For the second year in a row, Paige Pielet chose to spend her summer as an AmeriCorps VISTA. “I was a VISTA last summer and really enjoyed...
Our Chicago: Community Summit to Reflect on 50 Years of the Fair Housing Act
Leah Demarest and Rachel Schwartz are AmeriCorps VISTAs at John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic and Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, respectively. April 2018 marks 50 years since the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act. In...
Building the Next Generation of Change Agents
From recent college graduates to retirees, social workers to construction workers, the members of Housing Action Illinois' diverse AmeriCorps VISTA Network are united under one goal: to end poverty by expanding access to affordable housing. “While the...
Gathering Data to End Homelessness
Each year, every Continuum of Care must conduct a Point-in-Time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness in their service area. Volunteers spend one night in January walking around and recording the number of people without shelter. PIT count data is reported...
A Holiday of Giving at Heartland Alliance
Back to main blog page » Stephanie Tena is an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Coordinator at Heartland Alliance. The holiday season ignites a sense of reflection, graciousness, and a call to give back to others. One of the ways to channel this altruism is to...
Fall Into Our VISTA Network!
The seasons are changing almost as fast as our VISTA network! We're excited to welcome 26 new VISTAs as they start a year of service increasing the capacity of our member organizations to educate the public and community stakeholders on housing issues and...