Join us for a Toast to Housing Justice

Our 5th Annual Toast to Housing Justice launches on Monday, March 22, and will run through April 2. We have lots of ways you can join us and support our mission! First up:

Join Our Cooking Class with Chef Chuy Valencia
As part of our benefit, we're holding a virtual cooking class with Chef Chuy Valencia, who worked under famed chef Rick Bayless before opening his own restaurant in Chicago, the success of which led him to a stint on Bravo TV's Top Chef Season 9. Join us on Thursday, April 1 at 5:00 pm CST to follow along as Chuy shows how to craft a cauliflower ceviche tostada and pan-seared salmon with homemade salsa verde.

Stay tuned for more: Starting on Monday, you'll also be able to snag benefit offerings and housing justice t-shirts. Watch for more information or get a head start by donating today »

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Opening in Illinois

The State of Illinois and local governments are finalizing programs to provide emergency assistance to renters and rental property owners using funds from the December 2020 federal COVID-19 relief package. A total of $834.7 million in assistance will be available throughout Illinois. Two programs (Madison County and suburban Cook County) are currently open for applications, and we expect the others to open during April and May.

Learn more and get links to open programs »

American Rescue Plan Includes $50 Billion for Housing & Homelessness
On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). The COVID-19 relief package includes almost $50 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance, including:

• More than $27 billion for rental assistance
• $10 billion for homeowner assistance
• $5 billion for homelessness assistance
• $4.5 billion for utility assistance
• $100 million for housing counseling
• $20 million for fair housing activities

We are still determining what resources will be available to assist people and communities in Illinois and will share more details in the coming weeks.

Thanks to all members of Congress who supported passage of this package, which will prevent millions of people from losing their homes and provide resources to help people experiencing homelessness secure and maintain housing during and after the pandemic.

Support the Illinois COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act
COVID-19 has caused unprecedented economic instability for renters and homeowners across Illinois. In these uncertain times, no one should fear losing their home, and we must take action to address the long-term fallout of the pandemic on our housing ecosystem. We have the opportunity to pass an emergency state law—championed by State Representative Delia Ramirez, State Senator Omar Aquino, and others—that will expand access to sealing eviction records (having an eviction filing on public record can be a serious obstacle to finding housing in the future) and temporarily halt certain foreclosure proceedings. The first votes on the bill will happen before the end of March.

Tell your legislator to vote yes »

Illinois Eviction Moratorium Extended & Improved

Governor Pritzker has extended the state eviction moratorium through April 3. The most recent executive order makes an important clarification that we and others requested—that renters are protected from eviction as long as they submit their declaration form, even if they submit the form after their landlord began legal action to evict them. Tenants who cannot pay their rent must submit a Tenant Declaration Form, available in a number of languages here.

Housing Counselor Dispatch

Let's Get Certified
Illinois is in the top 5 states for certification progress: 81% of our housing counseling agencies have counselors who have passed the HUD certification exam, compared to 75% nationwide.

Still need to take and pass the HUD Certification Exam? We've redesigned and restructured our online study group to be more interactive and adapt to the needs of each cohort. Join us this April 27–29!

Register for Online Study Group for the HUD Exam: Version 3.0 »

Member Spotlight: Phoenix CDS

I think what makes us unique as a housing provider is that we are also a licensed mental health agency,” says Christine Kahl, CEO of Phoenix Community Development Services. As a supportive housing provider, Phoenix doesn't only manage housing; they provide "everything from trained mental health support, to substance abuse interventions, to case management, to food assistance.” Learn how the organization has dealt with the challenges of COVID-19, why they're excited to send a vehicle named HOWIE out into the field, and what new initiatives they're looking forward to in 2021.

Read our member spotlight on Phoenix CDS »

AmeriCorps Updates

$1 Billion for National Service in American Rescue Plan
The new COVID-19 relief package includes $1 billion in supplemental funding for AmeriCorps and its programs, including $80 million for AmeriCorps VISTA. This will help expand national service programs to aid COVID-19 response and recovery, strengthen diversity and equity, and increase members' living allowances, making service more accessible and inclusive.

Being Part of the Solution
"I began to think about the impact that COVID-19 was going to have on communities of color,” Fabian said. “I wanted to be part of the solution.” With this in mind, he joined Northwest Side Community Development Corporation as their Program and Research AmeriCorps Member.

Read about Fabian's experience and his advice to anyone considering an AmeriCorps year »

Housing Action Honored for Business Excellence

Housing Action has been selected as a 2021 Honoree for the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s Annual Awards for Business Excellence, which recognize businesses and organizations that impact communities in suburban Cook County and several of the Collar Counties.

Our thanks to Signature Bank for nominating us for this honor.