New Name, New Look

After 14 years of serving communities in Illinois and beyond, we are excited to announce a new name for our AmeriCorps network: Housing Action Corps. Our rebranding reflects our continued commitment to bring people and organizations together to take action on the most pressing housing issues facing our communities. We now host host dozens of positions in our home state, and last year, we expanded our Housing Counseling Corps initiative to match AmeriCorps members with organizations nationwide. We look forward to growing our reach while staying rooted in Illinois.

Learn more »

Now Seeking AmeriCorps Candidates

Know someone who wants to make a difference? Invite them to apply for our Housing Action Corps positions! We’re recruiting for 45 individuals to serve communities across Illinois, as well as nationwide in our Housing Counseling Corps. AmeriCorps VISTA members in our network dedicate a year of full-time service to a project that strengthens communities and furthers housing opportunities. Priority application deadline: July 12. 

View open positions »

Launching Our First On-Demand Counselor Training

We are excited to offer Compliance Matters: The 2024 Definitive Course on HUD Data Compliance for HUD-Certified Housing Counselors, in a brand new course format. Our on-demand training means you can learn at your own pace about navigating HUD data compliance requirements, accessing instructional videos, online resources, and a weekly live Q&A with trainer Kim Drayton. "Empowering and equipping others to thrive at their highest heights in whatever endeavor they pursue is my passion," says Kim, who developed the new course.

Learn more and register »

Spring Training Highlights

This month, we're bringing quite a few learning opportunities for housing counselors. Join us tomorrow for Trauma and Its Impact on Financial Wellness: Are You Okay?, next week for Mastering Your Online Housing Counseling Program (May 21–22), and the following week for Manufactured Housing Made Easy (May 28–30).

Kim Drayton of Thrive/Inspire, Ltd. Co., course developer and trainer for Compliance Matters

Three Years Later, IL CRA Rules Are Finalized

We glad to report that on May 1, the administrative rules for the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act (IL CRA) were finalized. Housing Action co-facilitates the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act Coalition with the Woodstock Institute, and we are grateful to our partners for joining us in three years of advocacy to shape these rules. Now, we plan to focus on public education and engagement. We want to ensure that the law successfully incentivizes state-regulated financial institutions to meet financial needs in areas that lack access to affordable banking and lending services. We are also advocating for state legislation to require a study that will inform IL CRA examinations of banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders.

Reduce Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing

We encourage people and organizations to comment in support of a proposed federal rule to change HUD’s screening regulations for applicants with conviction histories or a history of involvement with the criminal-legal system. The proposed changes would reduce unnecessary barriers to HUD-assisted housing that too often prevent people impacted by the criminal-legal system from accessing housing. You can speak up in support of this change through Vera Institute for Justice's comment portal. (Your message must have at least 30% original content to be fully considered by HUD.)

Submit your comment by June 10 »

Toast to Housing Justice

Thank you to everyone who attended our 8th Annual Toast to Housing Justice on April 18, 2024 and helped make it a success! This year, we raised nearly $12,000 to expand affordable housing and end homelessness in Illinois.

If you weren’t able to join, you can still support our work by making a gift today »