 | May 2025 Newsletter: Policy Focus | Housing Counselor Dispatch | Housing Action Corps Updates | Annual Benefit | Members Corner | Learning & Networking | What We're Sharing | Jobs |
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| | Federal Advocacy Updates President's Proposed "Skinny" Budget Signals Drastic Cuts to Housing Programs While Congressional Republicans are working to finalize a “reconciliation” bill that will make significant cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, the federal budget process for 2026 has begun. President Trump recently released a "skinny" budget proposal that would slash federal rental assistance by $27 billion (43%), devastating affordable housing access across the nation and in Illinois. If enacted, tens of thousands of Illinois households—including seniors, children, and people with disabilities—could lose their homes. 📣 Read our update and take action » Rollback of Federal CRA Rules After long-overdue updates to the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) were finally passed in 2023, regulators now plan to roll back those reforms—an alarming step backward. The CRA is designed to ensure banks meet the needs of low- and moderate-income communities, and the rule changes were important to reflect the realities of modern banking. This rollback makes our state-level law, the Illinois CRA, more important than ever. Learn more » |
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| State Advocacy Updates On the Ground in Springfield Our staff members have been busy meeting with legislators, mobilizing coalition members, and educating decision makers about the issues prioritized in our 2025 Advocacy Agenda. |
|  | Left to right: Foluke Akanni of Housing Action at a lobby day in Springfield (far right); Rep. Nicolle Grasse, Beth Nabors of JOURNEYS | The Road Home, & Bob Palmer of Housing Action; Foluke Akanni of Housing Action at another lobby day in Springfield (far left) |
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| National Spotlight on Harmful Local Housing Ordinances in Illinois The New York Times recently spotlighted harmful Illinois ordinances that allow tenants to be evicted over 911 calls or alleged “nuisance” activity—even without evidence or charges. Our Policy Director Bob Palmer and partners in the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Coalition helped inform the piece and connect the reporter with impacted residents. We're advocating for SB 2264, a bill to curb these unjust practices— and it just passed out of committee! Next up: a full Senate vote. Read the article: Under ‘Crime-Free Housing’ Laws, Families May be Evicted for Minor Offenses. |
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| | Action Needed: Support the Extension of the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program Senate Bill 1911 extends the Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program (AHSAP) through 2034, helping incentivize private investment in affordable rental housing. The House Revenue & Finance Committee will vote on the bill this Thursday, May 22 (tomorrow) at 8:00 a.m. Backed by Housing Action Illinois, Cook County Assessor’s Office, and others, SB 1911 ensures this vital tool remains effective and accessible. File a witness slip as a proponent before 8:00 am tomorrow » 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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| | Housing Counselor Dispatch |
| Learning from the Housing Stability Counseling Program In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on housing stability, Congress allocated $100 million through the American Rescue Plan Act to NeighborWorks America, which launched the Housing Stability Counseling Program (HSCP). A new report highlights how the $88.6 million in HSCP grants strengthened housing counseling infrastructure and provides insights on how to better serve communities during times of crisis. Housing Action Illinois administered just under $200,000 in HSCP funds in 2023, enabling our network to assist 309 households. Read the report » |
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| Welcoming Economic Growth Corporation to our Counseling Network As a HUD-approved Intermediary, Housing Action supports a network of housing counseling agencies in the Midwest and beyond. We help these organizations by providing one-on-one guidance and securing resources, including grant funding from HUD that we subgrant to our partner agencies. We are excited to welcome our newest affiliate to the network, Economic Growth Corporation, which is based in Rock Island, Illinois. Economic Growth Corporation is dedicated to enhancing the image and economic vitality of communities in need of jobs, investment, and housing. |
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| Connecting Clients Nationwide with Trusted Housing Guidance My Path to Home (MPTH) is an online platform launched by Housing Action Illinois to connect individuals and families with essential housing counseling services nationwide. With just a few clicks and by entering basic information, potential clients can connect with HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in their area. By working together, we can make housing counseling more accessible to everyone. Learn more and join us » |
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| | Housing Action Corps Updates |
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| Now Seeking Members for Positions For 15 years, Housing Action Illinois has proudly run an AmeriCorps VISTA program, helping local organizations build capacity and strengthen communities. We’re now recruiting for our 2025-2026 cohort! Know someone who wants to make a difference and grow as a leader? Encourage them to apply for our Housing Action Corps positions! We’re recruiting for 42 motivated individuals to serve with local organizations across Illinois—and nationwide through our Housing Counseling Corps. AmeriCorps VISTA members commit to a year of full-time service, building organizational capacity, advancing housing opportunities, and strengthening communities. Priority application deadline: July 15. View open positions » |
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| National Service Programs Strengthen Communities AmeriCorps—through its VISTA, NCCC, and State and National branches—has long played a vital role in addressing poverty and supporting civic engagement. Every federal tax dollar invested in its programs generates a $17 return to society at large through increased earning potential (both by AmeriCorps members and those they serve) and reduced reliance on state and federal government support. While our VISTA program continues to operate for the benefit of communities throughout Illinois and elsewhere, we remain deeply concerned by recent federal executive actions that threaten the broader AmeriCorps network. For more information about these actions and to get ongoing updates, visit Voices for National Service. We stand in solidarity with our peers and remain committed to the power of national service to uplift communities. |
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| | Toast to Housing Justice Thank you to everyone who attended our 9th Annual Toast to Housing Justice on April 24, 2025 and helped make it a success! With nearly 130 allies, advocates, and supporters in the room, we celebrated the movement to end homelessness and expand affordable housing. We raised more than $26,000 to move our work forward—which is only possible with your help. 👉 Relive the celebration with our 2025 benefit photo album » If you weren’t able to join, you can still support our work by making a gift today » |
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| - Housing Action Illinois was proud to welcome Jennifer Taff, Executive Director at DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity, as a member of our Board of Directors in 2024. Read about how her personal housing journey influences her work in her Board Member spotlight »
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| - Thank you and congratulations to Kim Tarkovsky for her 27 years as a Vision Access Advocate with LIFE CIL.
- Chicago's Department of Housing has launched their 2025-2026 Advisory Committee on Renting Right, and a number of our member organizations are taking part to advise the Chicago Department of Housing on rental housing issues: CDEL, Chicago Urban League, CIC, HANA, LCBH, and SCH.
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| Learning & Networking Events from us, our members, funders, and organizations to which we belong. Submit your listing » -
Presented by CSH: Health Share! Gearing Up to Become a Medicaid Biller, 5/22: Register - Hosted by Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness & Institute for Research on Race & Public Policy:
- Food Access Report: Panel Event, 5/23, (Chicago, IL): Register
- Hunger Pains: Food Access for Unhoused Individuals in Illinois Panel Discussion on Report, 6/6, (Chicago, IL): Event Details
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Presented by Illinois Housing Development Authority: 2026 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) Virtual Public Hearing Meeting, 5/28: Register -
Empowering First-Time Homebuyers on Agent Negotiations, 6/4: Register -
Program Manager Bootcamp (Milwaukee), 6/16-6/18: Register -
Helping Clients Build a Financial System that Works, 6/24: Register -
Presented by Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen: Extra (Tax) Credit, 6/24-6/25, (Chicago, 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) City of Chicago Five-Year Plan on Homelessness, Mayor's Office of Homelessness (resource) Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program is Open, IHDA (resource) Community Heart & Soul Seen Grant Program (funding opportunity) Housing Action Illinois Appears in "Chicago This Week", CAN TV, 4/25/25, (media) Homeless decriminalization bill makes it to the House Floor, WAND TV, 3/24/25 (media) Housing experts worry about federal plans to cut homelessness programs, NPR Illinois/91.9 UIS, 3/19/25 (media) New report highlights affordable housing crisis for low-income renters in the Quad Cities, WQAD 8, 3/20/25 (media) New Report Highlights Harmful Effects of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, Urges Illinois to Strengthen Tenant Protections, Collinsville Daily News, 3/17/25 (media) |
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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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