Housing Champions Newsletter

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Our 2019 Policy Agenda

Each year, Housing Action Illinois works on a broad range of issues aligned with our core mission of creating an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable place to call home. This agenda outlines priorities for the 2019 Illinois General Assembly session, as well as local and federal level work—measures that we believe will help families and communities across Illinois thrive.

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Get Tickets to Our Annual Toast to Housing Justice

There are lots of ways to stand up for housing justice. This March, you can make a difference by enjoying pizza and beer with us! We're excited to have a very large selection of silent auction and raffle items this year. A few highlights include:

Tickets to see the White Sox, Joffrey Ballet, Medieval Times, Music of the Baroque, The iO Theater
Gift certificates to eat at Little Goat Diner, Lou Malnati's, Lady Gregory's, Magnolia Bakery
Passes for the Morton Arboretum, Lillstreet Art Center, Latin Street Music and Dancing, CorePower Yoga, Chicago Athletic Clubs

We Can't Afford Another Shutdown

As the expiration deadline for the short-term funding bill approaches, Housing Action Illinois is urging legislators to avoid another government shutdown and to maximize full year funding for affordable housing and community development programs.

Join Housing Action Illinois, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and our allies for a Tweet Storm today at 2:00 pm CST to urge Congress to #FullyFundHousing.

Tweet With Us

Congratulations to Wanda for Passing the HUD Exam

Wanda Collins, the creator of our Online Study Group for housing counselors, recently passed the HUD certification exam. The test can be intimidating, but Wanda says that smart preparation and pacing are all you need to succeed.

"Rather than cramming all six subjects into one study session," she explained, "review one subject a day, paying special attention to the client/counselor dialogue within the modules. If you need to create your own study resources such as flash cards or notes, use what works for you." The next series of our Online Study Group will be held in April.

Get Help Studying

How are Illinois Housing Organizations taking on Social Enterprise?

A social enterprise is a publicly responsible and innovative venture, driven by unmet community needs, that exists as a hybrid of the traditional nonprofit and business models. We took a look at how four Illinois-based social enterprises support the work of nonprofit organizations in housing, community development, and educational initiatives.

Bright Endeavors, a social enterprise by New Moms, employs young moms to create soy candles

Executive Director Appointed to FHLB of Chicago Council

We are proud to share that our Executive Director, Sharon Legenza, has recently been appointmented to the Community Investment Advisory Council by FHLB of Chicago's Board of Directors. The council consists of representatives from community and nonprofit organizations who provide FHLB of Chicago with quarterly advice on carrying out its housing finance and community investment mission. Housing Action Illinois Board member Jackie Newman is the incoming Community Investment Advisory Council Chair.

What We're Sharing

Our Policy Director, Bob Palmer, spoke to Molly Parker at The Southern Illinoisan for this article: "New Illinois rules aim to help prevent childhood lead poisoning. But will there be money to implement them?"

Our Executive Director, Sharon Legenza, authored an op-ed for The Progressive that was also picked up by a variety of outlets across the nation: "Let's Achieve MLK's Fair Housing Dream"

Two national affordable housing policy recommendations were recently released: "Within Reach," a report by the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign, and a memo to incoming U.S. Senators & Representatives by the National Low Income Housing Coalition about concrete steps they can take to address the lack of decent and affordable housing.

The Chicago Furniture Bank serves people moving into supportive housing by providing free furniture. To become a Chicago Furniture Bank nonprofit partner, fill out their inquiry form here.