The Need

In communities throughout Illinois, quality affordable housing is out of reach for many, destabilizing communities and families, as well as keeping individuals from realizing their full potential in terms of education and employment.  The lack of affordable housing is the primary cause of homelessness.

Solution

We work with our members and allies throughout Illinois to develop and implement a public policy agenda that increases and preserves the supply of affordable housing.  We also educate elected officials and policy makers about the housing issues that impact their constituents.

Benefit and Impact

There are more resources to develop and preserve affordable housing, end homelessness, prevent foreclosures, and insure tenants have access to decent housing.  For example, in 2009 the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund helped fund the development of 92 rental units and helped more than 880 families buy or rehab their homes.   The state Homelessness Prevention Program kept 33,109 people housed in fiscal year 2009.  The Rental Housing Support Program has collected more than $100 million since 2006 to help extremely low-income households pay their rent.  All of these programs came into existence through Housing Action Illinois’ efforts.