colorful houses in a row

August 2022 Newsletter: Housing Matters Conference | Call for Board Members | Policy Focus | Housing Counselor Dispatch | Member Spotlight | Membership | AmeriCorps Updates | Learning & Networking | What We're Sharing | Jobs

This month in...
1999: In Illinois, the governor signs a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) reform bill, aiding community groups in their fight to put an end to TIF misuse. 

Housing Matters 2022

Join us in person this October 20 & 21 in Bloomington, IL for our annual Housing Matters Conference! This year, in addition to our general plenary sessions and member meeting, we’re bringing 12 breakout workshops related to public policy advocacy, ending homelessness, housing counseling, and affordable housing development. Topics include:

  • Breaking Down Appraisal Bias
  • Market Trends & Rising Costs: Barriers to First-Time Homeownership
  • Promising Initiatives to Prevent Eviction
  • Implementing the State Plan to End Homelessness
  • Building Community as a Housing Development Strategy

...and more. View the program and schedule »

Three slanted photo slices with conference images and the word Momentum across the bottom

Last Call for Keystone Supporters: As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we're exclusively inviting our nonprofit member organizations to join us in celebrating our achievements and building a brighter future by becoming a Keystone Supporter. For a contribution of $350, Keystone Supporters receive a complimentary conference admission, quarter page ad in the program, and acknowledgement on our website. Sign up by August 26 »

 

Call for Housing Action Board Members

Are you interested in serving on Housing Action Illinois' Board of Directors? Make your interest known! Share your name, and we'll follow up with you to discuss the process and potential membership on the Board. Although we have limited positions available, we’re looking to create a broad pool of talented people interested in serving.

Let us know you're interested »

 

Policy Focus

Inflation Reduction Act Makes Important Investments But Fails to Include Housing & Homelessness

This week, President Biden signed a very scaled back version of the reconciliation bill, now known as the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill includes important investments in affordable housing energy efficiency upgrades, climate change, and lower medical bills, but fails to include investments towards addressing the growing housing and homelessness crisis.

Thank you to the advocates and partners we have worked with over the last 17 months to call on Congress to provide funding for needed long-term solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis in each iteration of the reconciliation bill. Our collective advocacy helped ensure that Build Back Better passed through the House with $150 billion in funding for housing—and made a critical difference in pushing legislators to take much stronger, more ambitious stances when it comes to affordable housing.

"Today, as the immediate opportunity to advance toward our goals recedes, we cannot stop or slow our efforts," writes National Low Income Housing Coalition's Diane Yentel. Read more »

IL CRA Coalition Submits Comment Letter on Proposed CRA Rule

The IL CRA Coalition, co-facilitated by Housing Action Illinois and Woodstock Institute, have submitted a comment letter to federal regulators in response to proposed rule changes for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA directs billions of dollars in bank loans, investments, and financial services toward low- and moderate-income communities. The last rule updates occurred almost three decades ago, despite significant changes in banking and lending since then. The IL CRA Coalition is encouraging regulators to make low-income communities and communities of color the focal point of the CRA. Read the coalition letter »

New Report: Affordable Housing Is Out of Reach In Illinois for Low-Wage Workers

How much do you need to earn per hour to afford a modest 2-bedroom home in IL? $22.80.

"Even working multiple jobs, many low-income workers are still not able to afford housing,” stated Leone Jose Bicchieri of Working Family Solidarity.

Learn more about the cost of rent in IL and across the country in the latest Out of Reach report, co-released in Illinois at the end of July by Housing Action and National Low Income Housing Coalition. See our press release »

 

Housing Counselor Dispatch

Join Us on the Housing Counseling Career Path

This fall, we're offering our Housing Counseling Career Path training in both English and Spanish! Learn what you need to start your housing counseling career and prepare for the HUD Individual Certification Exam. Register today: 

 We hope you'll help us expand the housing counseling field by spreading the word and supporting our work to build a pipeline of qualified housing counselors ready to serve our communities.

Already a certified housing counselor and want to deepen your skills and knowledge? View our full trainings calendar »

 

Join the MISMO Housing Counseling Development Workgroup

MISMO, the real estate finance industry data standards organization, has issued a call for participants for a Housing Counseling Development Workgroup focused on creating a unified dataset for housing counseling. Standardizing data will allow the housing counseling industry to better measure its impacts and outcomes while also creating more flexibility in the housing counseling process, including through the exchange of consistent data with originators and servicers.

This is a big step forward in bringing housing counseling in line digitally with the major lenders, investors, and industry participants. Working with MISMO, housing counseling electronic data will mesh with the rest of the industry, helping make the housing counseling process more efficient and effective for borrowers and lenders alike. Housing Action’s David Young has been leading this data standardization effort for the past five years as the Chair of the National Housing Resource Coalition's Technology Committee. Now, we have the opportunity to integrate this work with the industry through MISMO. 

If you would like to participate in this workgroup, which will meet approximately once per month, please email David at david@housingactionil.org and cc info@MISMO.org by September 1.

 
 

Strengthening Relationships and Housing Tenants: Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing

"The [Rental Housing Support Program] is a program that you want to be a part of." 

Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing, formerly known as Winnebago County Housing Authority, is serving Winnebago, Stephenson, Ogle, DeKalb, and Jo Daviess Counties. Through administering housing vouchers, property rehabilitation initiatives, and other programming, NI ReACH is working to create an Illinois program where people not only have access to housing, but these opportunities that eventually lead to self-sufficiency.

Read more in this month's Member Spotlight »

Woman sitting at a table in a living room

Tenant who was assisted by NI ReACH

 

Are You a Member of Housing Action? 

For 35 years, Housing Action Illinois has been working to create an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable home. We are incredibly thankful for the 160+ members in our coalition who work alongside us to expand affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois.  

As a member of Housing Action, all staff and volunteers at your organization can access our member benefits. These include training and conference discounts, networking opportunities, eligibility to host an AmeriCorps VISTA member, advocacy opportunities, and more. 

Join our coalition today »

word cloud with different housing related words. 160+ members strong
 

AmeriCorps Updates

Goodbye & Thank You to Outgoing AmeriCorps Members & Summer Associates!

Housing Action Illinois would like to extend a warm thank you to all those who served in our AmeriCorps cohort, whether for a full year or a summer. Your hard work helps our member organizations expand their programs and better support our Illinois communities. Congratulations on completing your service, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors!

Three AmeriCorps VISTAs sitting around a table, holding papers
 

Learning & Networking 

Events from Housing Action, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your listing »

Getting the Most Out of Credit Education, 8/18: Register

Member Benefits Orientation, 8/23: Register

The Fundamentals of Rental Counseling, 8/24-8/25: Register

Recovery After Foreclosure, 9/8: Register

The Housing Counseling Career Path, 9/13-9/22: Register

Hosted by South Suburban Housing Center & Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance
Housing Rights Webinar for Persons with Arrests and Convictions, 9/14: Register

Hosted by Illinois Housing Council (IHC)
IHC Fall Mixer, 9/15:: Register

2022 Housing Matters Conference, 10/20–10/21: Register

See all Housing Action events »

 

What We're Sharing

Cook County's Human Rights Commission has updated their memo on Source of Income Discrimination, which now makes it clear that tenant screening procedures that automatically deny voucher holders are illegal. (resource)

Stay tuned for Grounding Values: For the first time in almost two decades, a national survey of nonprofit community developers will provide solid data to help channel new resources into the field. If your organization is a community-based development organization (CBDO), make sure your story is heard. Watch your email for an invitation from the Urban Institute and learn more or sign up for updates from NACEDA. (survey)

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program is awarding grants to nonprofits that seek to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of veterans who are low-income and have disabilities. Apply by 8/24/22. (funding opportunity)

Freeport Community Foundation is now accepting applications for their fall grant cycle, providing opportunity for nonprofit organizations in Northwest Illinois to share their stories about their projects and needs. Apply by 8/25/22. (funding opportunity)

Community Economic Development Focus on Energy Communities grants are designated for nonprofit community development corporations in regions that face job loss and/or economic dislocation cents due to declines in fossil fuel industries. Apply by 8/29/22. (funding opportunity)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Policies for Action program is seeking proposals to research policies with the potential to significantly improve the financial wellbeing and economic security of families and communities that have been systematically shoved to the margins, unable to enjoy a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. Apply by 9/7/22. (funding opportunity)

HUD's CoC Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will enhance communities' capacity to address unsheltered and rural homelessness, with $322 million in funds being made available. Apply by 10/20/22. (funding opportunity)

 

 

Who's Hiring

Jobs from Housing Action, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your opening »

Housing Action Illinois

Housing Action Illinois is seeking someone with 3+ years of experience for our Development Coordinator position. Apply by September 15 »

35 years Housing Action Illinois logo

Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet, Residential Homeless Services Case Worker-On-Call

Chinese American Service League, Housing Counselor (Spanish Speaking)

Community Investment Corporation, Multiple Positions

Enterprise Community Services, Senior Manager, Development Services

Facing Forward, Housing Locator

Habitat for Humanity Chicago, Senior Crew Leader

HANA Center, Outreach Coordinator

IFF, Multiple Positions

Latino Policy Forum, Housing Analyst & Immigration Policy Analyst

Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, Grants Finance Manager

National Community Reivestment Coalition, Multiple Positions

North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Multiple Positions

Peoria Housing Authority, Housing Choice Voucher Inspector

Phoenix Community Development Services, Multiple Positions

Spanish Coalition for Housing, Associate Housing Counselor

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 »

 

We are stronger together. Join us in the fight to create an Illinois where everyone has a good, stable place to call home.

 

Housing Action Illinois
67 E. Madison Street, Suite 1603 | Chicago, Illinois 60603
312-939-6074 | communications@housingactionil.org

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