We are grateful to everyone who helps protect and expand affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois. This year, as part of celebrating our 35th anniversary, we want to show our appreciation for the housing champions that make a difference in their communities every day. 

Help us thank the Illinoisans who are making our communities better. Who inspires you? Who has gone above and beyond to make a program or campaign successful? Who has mentored you or done work you admire? Submit someone for acknowledgment. We will feature them on our Wall of Housing Champions at our conference this October. 

Submit someone for acknowledgment »

Join Campaign to End Source of Income Discrimination

People seeking rental housing in Illinois are regularly denied the opportunity to even apply for available housing opportunities simply because landlords or property management companies choose not to accept their legal form of payment—such as SSI, Housing Choice Vouchers, veteran vouchers, emergency COVID assistance, and other non-wage income. This is known as source of income (SOI) discrimination.

As a member of the Illinois Coalition for Fair Housing, we are working to pass state legislation to establish protections against SOI discrimination. Learn more here and endorse the legislation as an organization or as an individual »

A new Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program has officially launched. This program, which Housing Action Illinois and our allies advocated for as part of the affordable housing omnibus bill that passed in the Illinois General Assembly last year, establishes a property tax assessment incentive to encourage owners of multifamily buildings with 7 or more units to invest in their properties and keep rents affordable. Read our breakdown of the program here. 

Cook County property owners with affordable rents and income-eligible tenants can apply here for an assessment reduction under this program by applying . Applications are due March 31.

Statewide Mortgage Assistance Coming This Spring

Illinois has received approval from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on its Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program to provide assistance to Illinois homeowners who have struggled to pay their mortgage due to COVID-19. The state will begin accepting applications in Spring 2022. Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will host a series of webinars beginning later this month to provide information on preparing to apply for funds and other issues. Sign up for updates.

Apply Now to Join the Fight Against Poverty

Are you interested in making a difference in your community while gaining professional experience with a nonprofit? Each year, Housing Action matches AmeriCorps members with community-based organizations across Illinois. 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 at their host organizations.

AmeriCorps members serve full-time at their host organizations. Service terms last either 12 months or for 8 to 10 weeks (Summer Associates serve between June and August).

Learn more and apply today »