Capacity Building

We can do more and do it better.
By providing training, consulting, and resources, we help housing organizations better serve communities throughout Illinois. Our experts facilitate workshops, share best practices, and provide one-on-one coaching to nonprofits so they can serve more families and help our communities thrive.
We also advocate for the resources these nonprofits need to most effectively fulfill their missions.
Support for Housing Counseling Agencies
One of our priorities is supporting housing counselors, who support individuals and families in finding and keeping good, affordable homes. Our experts facilitate regular workshops for counselors and offer one-on-one support and direct technical assistance to organizations. We want to make sure that agencies throughout Illinois can keep up with changing trends, new technology, and complicated regulations. By helping housing counselors build their skills and capacity, we position them to better serve their communities.
Housing Action Is a HUD-Approved Intermediary
A key way in which we support housing counseling agencies is as a HUD-Approved Intermediary. As an Intermediary, we distribute HUD Housing Counseling Funds and provide infrastructural and administrative support to a network of regional affiliates. Learn more »
Congrats to our Intermediary affiliates on being 100% certified! Counselors at every agency have passed the recently introduced HUD-certified housing counseling exam.

Community Revitalization Challenge
Through the Community Revitalization Challenge, we help community-based organizations build capacity, working with them to develop robust proposals for projects that increase access to affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents throughout Illinois.
Meet Our Capacity Building Team
David Young |
Bibian Cristino |
Jennifer Pallas |
Wanda Collins |
James Miller |
Emily Stahl |
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Latest Capacity Building Updates
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,...
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...