Housing Action Illinois

Chicago area short nearly 225,000 affordable rental units for its poorest residents, report finds There are only 31 affordable homes for rent for every 100 extremely low-income renter households in Chicago, according to a new report.

Check out the story online here: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...

"It’s a chronic problem that everyone knows about, but there hasn’t been the political will to deal with it in a way that fundamentally changes the current problems," Housing Action's Bob Palmer explains.

Pick up a copy of the Chicago Sun-Times today to check out the cover story on the shortage of affordable rental homes for low-income households in Illinois 🗞️

For nearly 40 years, Housing Action has been leading the fight for affordable housing across our state. We need you to help us continue this work! Join us at the 10th Annual Toast to Housing Justice and be part of the movement for change.

Tickets: housingactionil.salsalabs.org/2026annualbe...

Find out how you can fight back to protect immigrants, tenants, and keep all of us stably housed: housingactionil.org/blog/2026/03...

Our country has the resources to ensure we all have the freedom to live where we want and take care of our families, without fear of being evicted. But a Trump administration proposal would tear families apart & worsen the housing crisis. Here’s what you need to know.

Learn more: housingactionil.org/blog/2026/03...

Across the state, there are only 34 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households—a deficit of nearly 290,000 homes.

📊 New data in a report co-released today in IL by Housing Action & @nlihc.org confirms what communities across Illinois already know: there aren’t enough affordable homes for people with the lowest incomes.

Build skills, connect with peers, and elevate your impact.

👉 Register today: housingactionil.org/events

Choose the training that fits your goals:
✔️ Beyond Certification: Practical Strategies for Counseling Clients – Strengthen core counseling skills in your first year of certification.
✔️ Becoming a HECM-Certified Housing Counselor – Prepare to earn your HECM certification.

Registration is now open! Join us this June in Milwaukee for a unique in-person training opportunity for housing counselors. We're holding two trainings in one location, with the chance for shared networking.

This pushes back the start date of Cook County's annual property tax sale from March 10 to Dec. 1, 2026, giving lawmakers time to fix an outdated property tax sale system that puts families at risk. Thanks State Sen. Celina Villanueva for championing this measure.

Homeowners shouldn’t lose all the equity they've built up over a small tax bill...but right now, that's what happens through the outdated property tax system in Illinois.

Fortunately, last week, HB 598 passed out of the House, and @govpritzker.illinois.gov signed it into law.

Did you know housing counselors help families avoid foreclosure and achieve homeownership? Save the date and join us live to learn about housing counseling, hear from HUD-certified Housing Counselors in the field, and get your questions answered.

RSVP here: www.linkedin.com/events/74277...

Mark your calendars! Registration for our Annual Benefit is officially open! This year we are gathering at Catalyst Ranch in Chicago. Join nonprofit leaders, advocates, & communities members to mix, mingle, bid on prizes, and toast to housing justice: housingactionil.salsalabs.org/2026annualbe...

Join us on February 24 at the City of Evanston Council Chambers or on Zoom for a presentation on Housing Rights for Voucher Holders. This presentation is brought in partnership with the City of Evanston and Open Communities.

Register to attend on Zoom here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Thanks to @abundanthousingil.bsky.social, @elevatedchicago.bsky.social, Illinois Housing Council, @impactforequity, @metroplanning.bsky.social, & YIMBY Illinois for partnering on this response.

The proposal represents a a serious, necessary effort to create statewide alignment on our housing crisis, pairing reforms related to ADUs, parking requirements, and review timelines with targeted investments targeted investments to expand supply and support first-time homebuyers.

Following this week’s budget address from Governor Pritzker, Housing Action Illinois has joined a group of housing organizations in releasing a statement urging the General Assembly to advance the Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) legislative package.

housingactionil.org/blog/2026/02...

Housing counselors: Join us for HUD-Aligned Foreclosure Prevention Fundamentals on 3/26! This interactive course emphasizes early intervention, client-centered counseling, and ethical practices to help stabilize housing and prevent avoidable foreclosure. Register: housingactionil.org/events

As Housing Action's Bob Palmer explains, "Ideally, we wouldn’t spend time arguing about what the best method is of ending homelessness. We’d actually be talking about, ‘How do we commit the resources that are needed (for) permanent supportive housing and other...evidence-based solutions?’”

Proposed cuts to housing-first programs would be ‘going back like 30 years,’ advocates warn The Trump administration seeks to scale back funding to permanent housing for the homeless. Advocates are sounding the alarm.

This @chicagotribune.com article explains HUD's recent drastic, counterproductive policy shift in how we address homelessness.

www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/17/p...

“One of the most important ways we can address housing and homelessness in IL and the nation is by making sure our laws and policies protect people from discrimination, including the kinds of bias that are often hidden,” said Sharon Legenza, Executive Director of Housing Action Illinois.

Budzinski Leads Illinois House Democrats in Demanding HUD Strengthen Housing Protections SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led 12 members of the Illinois Delegation in a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opposing their propos...

Our thanks to IL legislators who are standing up for fair housing, including @budzinski.house.gov: budzinski.house.gov/posts/budzin...

Chicago-area housing organizations that use federal funds are in limbo, unsure whether the Trump administration will withhold money appropriated by Congress or whether it will follow through on threats to punish Democratic-led states.

Federal actions could make an affordable housing shortage worse Chicago area organizations are in limbo as the Trump administration and Congress sow uncertainty over money appropriated for housing programs.

"It’s very difficult to plan because you don’t know what resources will be available, if you’re going to be reimbursed," Housing Action's David Young tells @crainschicago.bsky.social.

www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/fede...

Under Trump, HUD hardens the policies behind a program meant to shelter the city’s homeless population The Trump administration is hitting at the heart of the decades-old practice of Permanent Supportive Housing.

It's a relief that Congress approved funding for homeless service programs. But as our Policy Director Bob Palmer asks, “Even if you get a contract, is HUD going to spend (the appropriation)? Are they going to change conditions of your program overnight?”

www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/hud-...

Housing counselors: Join us for HUD-Aligned Foreclosure Prevention Fundamentals on 3/26! This interactive course emphasizes early intervention, client-centered counseling, and ethical practices to help stabilize housing and prevent avoidable foreclosure. Register: housingactionil.org/events

CAFHA | ILHEC

Connect with the Illinois Housing Equity Collective: www.cafha.net/ilhec