Policy Focus

Courts Block New Federal Public Charge Regulations

We are very pleased that multiple federal courts have issued temporary injunctions which prevented the Trump administration’s public charge regulation from going into effect on October 15. This means most people can still safely use public programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance. As a member of the Protecting Immigrant Families-Illinois coalition, Housing Action Illinois has been working alongside allies to oppose the new public charge rule, which would block immigrant families from having a permanent, secure future in the United States and scare them away from seeking access to health care, nutrition, and housing programs that their tax dollars support. The injunction prevents the new rule from being implemented while the courts consider the legality of the new regulations. 

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Protect Fair Housing's "Disparate Impact” Rule

Your voice is needed to safeguard fair housing. We urge you to comment in opposition to the Trump Administration's proposed changes to HUD's fair housing “Disparate Impact” rule, which would place virtually all of the burden of proving discrimination on people who are in protected classes as defined by the Fair Housing Act—people of color, women, immigrants, families with children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and people of faith. The changes are designed to make it much more difficult, if not impossible, for people in protected classes to challenge and overcome discriminatory effects in housing policies or practices. The deadline to speak up by submitting a comment is this Friday, October 18.

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Next Week: Housing Matters! 2019

Announcing Sol Flores as Keynote Speaker

Housing Action is excited to welcome Illinois Deputy Governor Sol Flores to our annual conference. As the former founding Director of La Casa Norte, a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that has served more than 30,000 youth and families confronting homelessness, Deputy Governor Flores understands both the systemic issues and the day-to-day challenges of the work we all do. Governor Pritzker will also address participants through a videotaped message.

There's still time to register for the conference. We look forward to seeing you in Bloomington next week.

Housing Counselor Dispatch

Housing Action Illinois Awarded $1.2 Million in Housing Counseling Funds

HUD has awarded $1,200,141 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute to local housing counseling agencies that help families rent or buy safe, affordable homes and prevent foreclosures. Thirty-three housing counseling agencies—serving communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri—will receive funding this year. In addition to financial support, Housing Action assists with administrative functions and offers training and one-on-one guidance to help agencies become more effective and expand their programs.

Get Certified!

August 2020 will be here before you know it. Studying for the HUD Housing Counseling certification exam can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Wanda Collins, Housing Action's Capacity Building Specialist, is here to support housing counselors and housing counseling agencies in getting ready to take the exam. During the Countdown to Certification, Wanda will share practice test questions, study tips, and reminders to help you prep. Stay on track while you study and sign up to receive Wanda's weekly emails.