Housing Action Illinois mobilizes organizations to end homelessness, increase affordable rental housing, and expand homeownership opportunities.
For nearly 40 years, we have brought together member organizations from across Illinois united in our vision of expanding affordable housing and ending homelessness. Our members include housing counseling agencies, homeless service providers, developers of affordable housing, and policymakers.
Our work has led to tens of thousands of new homes being built, hundreds of thousands of people going from housing insecurity or homelessness to having stable homes, and millions of renters gaining better protections. Working with our members and allies, we’ve created access and housing opportunities in every community throughout Illinois.
Policy Advocacy
We mobilize our members to advocate for policies that help end homelessness, create affordable rental housing, and promote sustainable homeownership. Together, our voice is stronger.
Capacity Building
We help housing counseling agencies and developers build their capacity and expand their resources. We are a HUD-approved Intermediary and manage an AmeriCorps network. Together, our impact is greater.
Education & Organizing
We build awareness, activate change, and shift narratives by sharing information and real-life stories with policymakers, nonprofit service providers, and the media.
Recent Happenings
Affordable Housing is Out of Reach for Low-Wage Illinois Workers
Out of Reach, a report newly released by Housing Action and NLIHC, finds that a full-time worker in IL must earn nearly $30 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
Policy Update: What's in the Senate Budget, Harmful EO on Homelessness, & More
Better than the House budget, but still not good enough: learn what’s in the Senate FY2026 budget proposal.
Join Us at 2025 Housing Matters
Each year, our conference brings together 350 housing professionals who care about protecting affordable housing and ending homelessness. This year’s gathering will be on October 16–17.
2025 Trainings & Events
We build the capacity of housing nonprofits through trainings, with a specific focus on supporting housing counselors. We also host an annual conference and an annual benefit.
Critical Connections for Housing Counseling
No confusing forms. No long searches. Just a free, simple way to connect to a HUD-approved housing counselor to get expert advice on the homeownership process.
Making a Difference through AmeriCorps
We are now accepting applications to serve as a Housing Action Corps member in 2025-2026.