Housing Action Illinois

We share Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's thoughts on passage of this major property tax reform legislation that will create more equity and fairness, as well as lead to fewer people losing their home due to property tax debt. We very glad to have worked closely with her office on this, as well as with others, including The Chicago Community Trust, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, AARP Illinois and many others. Maria Pappas' team at Cook County Treasurer's Office deserve a lot of credit, too. Of course, years of work and leadership by State Senator Celina Villanueva and State Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II have been crucial to getting this done.

The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program is accepting applications between May 27, 2026 and June 22, 2026. CBRAP provides emergency rental assistance to tenants and housing providers in Illinois with pending cases in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to $10,000 that can be applied to past due rent, up to $700 for court costs, and up to two months' future rent to prevent housing displacement. Learn more and apply here: https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap

Housing Action Illinois helps housing counselors and their agencies build their skills and capacity so they can provide the best housing and housing-related services to renters and homeowners. Learn more about the services they can provide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1QGQ_vx6AU

Thanks to all the members of the Senate who introduced these bills to increase housing supply and affordability, as well as protect people in vulnerable housing situations. State Senator Ram Villivalam, State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Senator Steve Stadelman, State Senator Graciela Guzman, Senator Mike Simmons, Senator Laura Ellman, Sara Feigenholtz, State Senator and Senator Rachel Ventura.

Illinois Senate Democrats present historic housing affordability plan.
http://ilsenatedems.co/9y4r50Z3kwr

Understanding people’s experiences is key to building better systems.

With two launch discussions this week, IDHS has released a new report highlighting the experiences of Latine individuals facing housing instability across Illinois.

“Latine Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality,” a joint effort of the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and the University of Illinois Chicago’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, examines the systemic factors contributing to housing insecurity and helps identify opportunities for more equitable, prevention-focused solutions.

On any given night in Illinois, approximately 1,000 Latine individuals are in shelters, and an estimated 30,000 are living doubled up, according to the report. This research helps strengthen our understanding of the factors that impact housing access in Latine communities and supports more responsive, community-informed approaches to expanding access to stable housing.

We thank Governor JB Pritzker for championing the fight to end homelessness in Illinois.

At IDHS, we are committed to advancing equity and ensuring all communities have access to the supports they need to thrive.

Read the press release: https://idhs.prezly.com/illinois-releases-new-report-aimed-at-addressing-homelessness-in-the-latine-community

Join our team: Housing Action is hiring a Housing Policy Organizer! They will be responsible for key work related to our Public Policy Advocacy and Public Education and Organizing Programs. Apply or spread the word! https://housingactionil.org/blog/2026/04/29/housing-policy-organizer-3/

"Hard work used to be enough for a middle-class working family to be able to afford a home and put down some roots. Now, with housing prices skyrocketing, young people feel like they’re failing to reach an essential benchmark in life. The truth is, this isn’t about a personal failure; it’s about a policy failure...If we want the next generation of working people to have a shot at homeownership and the benefits that come with it, we have to bring back the starter home."

"It’s time to build with the Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Plan."

We Can Bring Back Starter Homes At the risk of stating the obvious, there are a lot of great reasons to own a home.

Looking to start a career that makes a difference? Housing counselors help people rent, buy, and maintain a place to call home. Apply now to become a Housing Counseling Corps member with one of our participating host organizations. During your year of AmeriCorps VISTA service, you’ll receive:

✅ 1:1 supervision & hands-on experience with a housing counseling agency

✅ Specialized training & study groups to prepare for HUD Housing Counseling Certification

✅ Networking & post-service employment opportunities as a HUD-certified housing counselor

➡️ See our available Housing Counseling Corps positions: housingactionil.org/americorps