 | March 2025 Newsletter: Policy Focus | New Reports | Annual Benefit | Housing Counselor Dispatch | Housing Action Corps | Members Corner | Learning & Networking | What We're Sharing | Jobs |
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| | Take Action Today to Support IL Legislation This week, many of the state bills we are advocating for as part of our 2025 Advocacy Agenda will be voted on by committees in the Illinois General Assembly. Submit a witness slip to support these key bills: HB 3466, sponsored by Rep. Guzzardi, improves a current law that provides owners of eligible newly constructed or rehabilitated properties a reduction in assessed property value in exchange for keeping some rental homes affordable. Read more about the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program. SB 2264, the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act, sponsored by Sen. Villa, restricts the use of so-called “crime-free housing and nuisance property” ordinances by local governments in Illinois. These ordinances can force landlords to tenants before of 911 calls or other alleged “nuisance” activity. This punishes renters for calling for help and puts survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as people with disabilities, at risk. For more information, see the recent the report we worked on with coalition partners. Tips on Filing a Witness Slip: - If you are filing as an individual, write “Self” for “Firm/Business or Agency” and “Representation.”
- For position, select “Proponent.”
- For Testimony, choose “Record of Appearance Only.”
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| Federal Stopgap Funding Bill Underfunds Vital HUD Programs Last week, Congress passed—and President Donald Trump signed into law—a year-long stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to extend funding for the federal government through September. It extends funding levels provided for federal programs in the previous year’s FY24 funding bill through the remainder of FY25 (and provides increases for a limited number of programs). See the National Low Income Housing Coalition breakdown for more details on HUD funding, as well as their updated budget chart. We are particularly concerned about the potential loss of Housing Choice Vouchers, underfunding of Homeless Assistance Grants, and flat funding for programs, such as housing counseling and fair housing enforcement, that have long needed more resources. Our thanks to the 500+ action takers who told their legislators to oppose cuts to HUD programs and staff through our alert. We have also been speaking up with the media about the harm that cuts to HUD programs and staff will do to Illinois communities; letters to the editor from our Executive Director Sharon Legenza were recently published in the Chicago Sun-Times and Crain’s Chicago Business, and our Policy Director Bob Palmer joined coalition member Heartland Housed in sharing concerns with-based WCIA for a story picked up by Our Quad Cities News. Please reach out if you would like to collaborate on media outreach to help people understand how HUD programs support your community. Fair Housing Program Support in Jeopardy At the end of February, notices were sent out to private fair housing enforcement and education agencies across the country by the federal government immediately terminating nearly half of all ongoing FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) grant contracts approved by HUD with resources already allocated by Congress. A number of our member organizations, including Chicago Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights, Open Communities, and South Suburban Housing Center, have been impacted by these devastating notices, which will eliminate fair housing services in many of our hardest hit communities. Read the Capitol News Illinois coverage » |
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| | | In the past couple of months, Housing Action has authored or co-authored a handful of reports: |
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| The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes This annual report, co-released annually by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) in Illinois, finds that there are only 34 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households in our state. Read the report » |
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| The Discriminatory Enforcement of Illinois’ Crime-Free and Nuisance Property Ordinances This report by the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Coalition looks at how local laws can force landlords to evict tenants because of 911 calls or other alleged “nuisance” activity. This punishes renters for calling for help and puts survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as people with disabilities, at risk. Read the report » |
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| Code Enforcement as a Tool for Safe, Equitable & Affordable Housing Code enforcement plays a crucial role in health, safety, and housing stability—but it’s often overlooked in affordable housing discussions. Housing Action's report with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shares original research evaluating local regulations and offers recommendations for more effective, equitable code enforcement. Read the report » |
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| Cairo Housing Needs Action Plan Housing Action published a plan to address the pressing housing challenges faced by Cairo, Illinois. Developed through extensive community engagement, this plan explores key issues and focuses on actionable strategies. Read the report » |
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| | Annual Benefit Registration is now open for our ninth annual Toast to Housing Justice, which will be held on April 24, 2025, at Catalyst Ranch in Chicago. Join us for a fun evening of friendly faces and networking—and a chance to win great prizes at our silent auction. Best of all, by attending, you'll support Housing Action's work toward an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable place to call home. Register now » |
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| | Housing Counselor Dispatch |
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| Moving Forward with Data Standards For years, our Capacity Building Director David Young has been working with partners across the nation to create a standardized dataset that will enhance data sharing and business opportunities in the housing counseling industry. Now, some of this work is coming to fruition: the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) is seeking public comment on its new Housing Counseling Dataset Specification, designed to improve access to homeownership for first-time homebuyers. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the development of this key dataset. Add your public comment by April 28. We're excited to say that David's work on this initiative was recognized recently when he was declared a 2025 MISMO Standards Champion. |
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| Midland States Bank Foundation Supports Housing Counseling Career Path Housing Action Illinois is pleased thank Midland States Bank for their $12,000 contribution to will support Housing Action’s Housing Counseling Career Path training. This generous grant will create opportunities for more participants to join our training and gain skills and knowledge to support our communities that need it most. Read more » |
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| | Housing Action Corps Updates |
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| AmeriCorps Works: Celebrating AmeriCorps Week Since our program started 15 years ago, Housing Action Corps has witnessed hundreds of AmeriCorps members make a real difference in communities across Illinois and nationwide. AmeriCorps works because we put people where the need is greatest. Last year, our network helped 15,390 people receive housing services, raised $1,282,488 in funds to support housing programs, and completed countless projects to bring more housing opportunities to our communities. As last week was AmeriCorps Week (March 9-15), help us recognize and thank our dedicated cohort of AmeriCorps members, who remind us each day that ordinary citizens can contribute extraordinary acts of service. If you have an AmeriCorps member serving at your organization, take a moment to express your appreciation for their commitment to strengthening our communities. Read stories from our AmeriCorps network » |
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| Housing Action Corps Social Hour On Thursday, March 13, Housing Action Corps members and alumni gathered for an evening of community building, networking, and fun at the Game Room in Chicago Athletic Association! We enjoyed seeing members and alumni make connections and celebrate their service accomplishments. Thank you to everyone who joined us! |
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| | Welcome to Housing Action's Newest Board Members |
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| We are honored to have two new Board members joining our Board of Directors in 2025. Nick Dodson join us from Heartland HOUSED, and we look forward to working alongside him to ensure that everyone in Illinois has a safe and stable place to call home. Read Nick's Board member spotlight » |
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| Brigitta Mac-Rizzo joins us on the Board from Jackson County Housing Authority. We are excited to see the impact she will continue to make in her community and across the broader affordable housing landscape, one person at a time. Read Brigitta's Board member spotlight » |
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| | | - Congratulations to South Suburban Housing Center on 50 years of making a difference! Join their 50th Anniversary Reunion & Reception on April 3 »
- Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness announced their Streetlight Chicago app relaunch, a mobile app and website meant to connect young people experiencing housing insecurity to resources in the Chicagoland area.
- Uptown People's Law Center recently welcomed Kate Walz as their new Executive Director, taking the place of Alan Mills, who recently retired after 45 years with the organization. Metropolitan Planning Council has welcomed Emily Bloom-Carlin as Director of Housing and Community Development, and SHPA has welcomed Max Seeley as Director of Government Affairs. Thanks and congrats to Gianna Baker of CAFHA and Angela Brooks of CSH, who are moving on to new adventures elsewhere.
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| | Learning & Networking Events from us, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your listing »
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Presented by Law Center for Better Housing: 2025 Chicago Evictions Town Hall, 4/26 (Hybrid): Register -
Presented by SHPA: SHPA Advocacy Day, 4/8-4/9 (Springfield, IL): Register -
Lobbying vs. Advocacy: What Can Housing Counseling Agencies Do? 4/15: Register -
Best Practices for Housing Counseling Intake, 4/16: Register -
Becoming a HECM-Certified Housing Counselor, 5/5-5/9: Register -
HECM Default Counseling, 5/9: Register -
Post-Purchase Counseling 101, 5/13-5/15: Register -
Promoting Responsible Homeownership, 5/20-5/22: Register -
Program Manager Bootcamp (Milwaukee), 6/16-6/18: Register -
Hosted by Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness: Home 2025 Summit, 6/9-6/10 (Rosemont, IL): Register 📆 SAVE THE DATE: Housing Matters 2025 will be on October 16–17 in Bloomington, IL! See all upcoming Housing Action events » |
| | | 🦋 Follow Housing Action Illinois on Bluesky! (social media) Government officials: Criminalizing homelessness is not a solution, Chicago Tribune, 3/6/25 (media) Extra rent fees could be banned in new rental transparency bill, WAND TV, 2/14/25 (media) Advocates ask Illinois lawmakers to increase funding for the unhoused in new budget, WGLT, 2/4/25 (media) Homelessness could no longer be a crime under a new plan filed in Springfield, WAND News, 1/24/25 (media) Heartland HOUSED agency says more state and federal help is needed, NPR Illinois, 1/21/25 (media) A nonprofit checklist: What to do when your federal grant or contract is terminated, Council of Nonprofits (resource) |
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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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