|  | April 2022 Newsletter: Policy Focus | Conference Workshop RFP | Housing Counselor Dispatch | AmeriCorps Updates | Thank You | Learning & Networking | What We're Sharing | Jobs |
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| This month in...
1968: The Fair Housing Act passed, committing our nation to a goal that we still fight for today—to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community. |
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| | In the condensed 2022 General Assembly session, which ended on April 8, Housing Action Illinois and our partners celebrated three significant victories: - Passing Source of Income (SOI) Housing Protections: SOI discrimination is when someone is denied the opportunity to even apply for rental housing simply because they will pay rent with non-wage income (such as SSI or Housing Choice Vouchers). HB 2775 protects every resident in Illinois by providing the opportunity for individuals and families currently shut out of housing opportunities to make their case to a landlord that they will be good tenants.
- Securing an Additional $150 Million in ARPA Funds for Affordable Housing: The final budget included $150 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for affordable housing from the State of Illinois’ remaining federal fiscal recovery funds. In combination with APRA funds appropriated last year, this brings the total Illinois investment of ARPA funds in affordable housing to $264 million.
- Securing a $15 Million Increase to Address Homelessness: The fiscal year 2023 state budget includes $15 million in new General Revenue Fund funding for Homelessness Prevention and to support the State of Illinois' new plan to prevent and end homelessness.
Read our full 2022 General Assembly Wrap-Up » |
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 | Celebrating the passage of HB 2775: Bob Palmer from Housing Action Illinois, Chief Sponsor State Senator Ram Villivalam, and Sharon Norwood from Working Family Solidarity |
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| | Present at 2022 Housing Matters |
| Housing Action is now accepting workshop proposals to present at our 2022 Housing Matters Conference on October 20 & 21 in Bloomington, IL. This will be our first in-person conference in two years, and we're excited to reconnect and spark ideas, innovation, and collaboration together. The deadline for proposals is Friday, May 13. We're interested in sessions that relate to: - Ending Homelessness
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Housing Counseling
- Affordable Housing Development
Submit your proposal » |
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 | Illinois Deputy Governor Sol Flores at 2019 Housing Matters Conference |
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| | Housing Counselor Dispatch |
| Member Spotlight: Housing Counseling at C.E.F.S. "I'm in the perfect position to serve and learn." Housing Counselor Margo Probst—who is nearing her third year with C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation—takes pride in being able to help her clients with their housing needs. Individuals will come to Probst upset, feeling helpless and frustrated—they are often at risk of losing their housing due to being unable to pay rent or are already experiencing homelessness. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ensuring housing access and stability. Read more about Margo's work » |
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 | Housing Action and C.E.F.S. staff visit during 2017 Housing Action Caravan |
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| FHA Outreach to Struggling FHA Borrowers During the first half of April, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mailed half a million letters to delinquent or struggling FHA borrowers, encouraging them to reach out to their mortgage servicer and housing counseling agencies for assistance. This is a major outreach effort; if you see an increase in people requesting housing counseling in response, please let the National Housing Resource Center know by emailing Bruce Dorpalen (bdorpalen@hsgcenter.org). |
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| | | Now Recruiting: AmeriCorps Positions around the State Each year, Housing Action matches AmeriCorps members with community-based organizations in our coalition. AmeriCorps members take on a variety of roles at their host organizations, all aimed at helping our communities thrive. They expand the scale of programs and services, implement new projects, and build capacity to further the long-term sustainability of anti-poverty programs. We're currently recruiting more than 60 individuals to serve as year-long AmeriCorps VISTA members and AmeriCorps Summer Associates in our network. All positions begin between June and August 2022. View all positions » |
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| | Thank You for Supporting Our Work |
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| Housing Action Illinois would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our supporters who helped make our 6th Annual Toast to Housing Justice a success. As a result of your contributions, we exceeded our goal, raising $2,644 — or 106% of our $2,500 goal! Even though our benefit has ended, we hope that you'll consider making a monthly contribution or becoming a donor. Your support strengthens our movement to expand and preserve affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois. |
| We are also grateful to Dill Pickle Food Co-Op in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood for designating Housing Action Illinois as their Round Up-Recipient for the month of April. Customers can contribute spare change, round up to the nearest dollar on their purchase, or contribute an additional dollar amount to support Housing Action; just ask the cashier. Learn more and plan your visit » |
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| | Learning & Networking Events from Housing Action, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your listing »  IHDA's Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Program, TODAY: Register Hosted by South Suburban Housing Center
Addressing the Impact of Suburban Segregation, 4/27: Register The Housing Counseling Career Path, 4/26-4/28 & 5/3-5/5: Register What You Should Know About Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), 5/17, 5/18: Register See all Housing Action events » |
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| | | Who's Hiring Jobs from Housing Action, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your opening » Access Living, Community Supports Coordinator Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Housing Justice Organizer Chicago Furniture Bank, Executive Director Chicago Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights, Senior Council - Equitable Community Development and Housing Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Housing Counselor & Director of Finance Connections for the Homeless, Various Positions Grundy County Housing Authority, Property Manager Habitat for Humanity Chicago, Community Engagement Coordinator & Junior Salesforce Administrator HOPE Fair Housing Center, Statewide Fair Housing Manager Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, Various Positions Metropolitan Family Services | Legal Aid Society, Various Positions Metropolitan Planning Council, Vice President of Philanthropy & Communications Sarah's Circle, Rapid Rehousing Case Manager Spanish Community Center, Housing Advocate Supportive Housing Providers Association, Illinois Coordinator, Northern Region Housing Action Illinois is collaborating with the National Housing Resource Center (NHRC) to expand the field of housing counseling, and NHRC has launched a jobs board to match HUD-certified housing counselors and agencies with open positions. Find or post a housing counseling position at HousingCounselingCareer.org » |
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| | We are stronger together. Join us in the fight to create an Illinois where everyone has a good, stable place to call home. |
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| | Housing Action Illinois
67 E. Madison Street, Suite 1603 | Chicago, Illinois 60603
312-939-6074 | communications@housingactionil.org |
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