The Affordable Housing Support Project and AmeriCorps VISTA

Housing Action Illinois has been chosen to serve as an Intermediary Agency for the AmeriCorps VISTA program on behalf of the Illinois Affordable Housing Support Project.  As an Intermediary Agency, Housing Action Illinois will manage VISTA members who are serving our community in various capacities, all aimed at fighting poverty and improving the lives of disadvantaged individuals by expanding and improving the availability of decent, affordable, accessible housing in Illinois. 

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty. Through AmeriCorps VISTA, members can make a tangible difference and they will find the fulfillment that comes from using their knowledge and skills to help those in disadvantaged circumstances turn their dreams into reality.

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers In Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front line in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.

What Do VISTA Members Do?

VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local governmental agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health service, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment and hard work, VISTA members will create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

The Benefits of VISTA Service

By serving through VISTA, you will gain new skills, friends and experiences - plus you will get the satisfaction that comes from serving others. During your service you will also receive a modest living allowance, health care and other benefits. Upon completing your service you can choose to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or a post-service stipend.

If you are interested in learning about VISTA opportunities and The Illinois Affordable Housing Support Project, please visit AmeriCorps VISTA or email Nate Hutcheson at nate@housingactionil.org.

For a list of current VISTAs click here.

Annual Caravan

Each year, Housing Action Illinois' board and staff take a three-day road trip, or "caravan", through a different region of Illinois.

Housing Action’s purpose in organizing the Caravan is two-fold:  first, to obtain current, local information about pressing affordable housing issues and concerns in order to inform our public policy advocacy, public education and organizing, and training and technical assistance work; and second, to inform and mobilize community-based organizations and advocates to get involved in our state and federal advocacy work. 

“The Caravan continues to be successful in bringing organizations to the table to discuss housing issues and to see the benefit of the advocacy work of Housing Action Illinois,” states Bob Campbell, Executive Director of the Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition, 2009 Caravan Host, and Housing Action Illinois Board Member.

2010 Caravan

From August 17-19, 2010, members of Housing Action Illinois’ Board of Directors and staff visited counties in the Chicago Metropolitan Region— Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will and south Cook—as part of our fifth annual Caravan. Each stop included a community stakeholders meeting to discuss local housing issues and potential solutions.

Housing Action’s purpose in organizing the Caravan is two-fold: first, to obtain current, local information about pressing affordable housing issues and concerns in order to inform our public policy advocacy, public education and organizing, and training and technical assistance work; and second, to inform and mobilize community-based organizations and advocates to get involved in local, state and federal advocacy.

More than 127 individuals representing nonprofits, government, and business came together to discuss the state of housing in their communities. The paramount issues and concerns that stakeholders shared focused on the need to overcome negative perceptions about affordable housing, educating landlords and tenants on their rights and responsibilities, and creating more affordable housing options for extremely low-income families.

Another serious concern that many stakeholders echoed is the widespread, negative effect suffered by communities as a result of the recession and state budget crisis. Unemployment, high foreclosure rates, and a lack of quality affordable housing have created a surge in homelessness. Many communities have witnessed a rise in families and individuals that are couch-surfing or living doubled-up. In McHenry, one homeless service provider noted that individuals who had been volunteers at her agency are now clients. Moreover, people have been staying in shelters for a longer period of time. However, in spite of the vast need, many agencies that receive state funding have had to reduce services and lay-off staff due to the fiscal crisis.

Unlike the other community stakeholders’ dialogues, the meeting in DuPage focused on the intersection between housing and transportation. The Center for Neighborhood Technology presented, Driving: A Hard Bargain, The Combined Cost of Housing & Transportation in the Chicago Metropolitan Region, a report illustrating the housing and transportation burdens of low to moderate-income families. According to the study, housing and transportation costs are more affordable for working families when they live in “compact, mixed-use, transit-rich communities where homes are located near shopping, schools, and work.” As a result, stakeholders recognized that advocating for affordable housing and transportation affordability must go hand-in-hand.

Finally, a special thank you to all of our local hosts who made this Caravan possible: Lake County Residential Development Corporation, the Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County, the Corporation for Affordable Homes of McHenry County, DuPage Housing Action Coalition, Hesed House, Will County Center for Community Concerns, and the South Suburban Council on Homelessness. Thank you also to all of the participants who attended our stakeholders meetings and who openly shared their thoughts and experiences with us. We look forward to working with all of you!

Past Caravans

2009: Northwest Illinois— DeKalb, Ottawa/Peru, Rock Island, Freeport and Rockford—as part of our fourth annual Caravan.

2008: Central Illinois—Decatur, Springfield, Quincy, Macomb and Peoria

2007: East Central Illinois—Bloomington, Danville, Kankakee, Pontiac and Urbana

2006: Southern Illinois—Effingham, Centralia, Vienna, Carbondale, Granite City and Belleville

Local Coalitions

We support the activities of our members and allies throughout the state, including volunteeer-led local coalitions in DuPage County and Kane County.

They organize advocacy efforts by

Identifying issues and needs
Raising public awareness on the issues
Collaborating with regional, statewide, and national advocacy efforts
Networking through the exchange of education and information

Types of activities

Affordable Housing Forums
Affordable Housing Presentations
Meeting with Legislators
Publicize Local Affordable Housing Efforts

For more information contact Bob Palmer at 312- 939-6074 x. 206 or bob@housingactionil.org.