Affordable Housing in the Illinois Capital Budget

For two years, the CCH housing campaign focused on funding more affordable housing in Illinois. CCH worked with several allies for a capital budget that -- for the first time in Illinois -- includes money for housing. This was achieved in July 2009, when Gov. Quinn signed a $31 billion capital budget that included $134 million for housing.

CCH mobilized extensive organizing and advocacy: Homeless leaders on the CCH Speakers Bureau held 14 in-district meetings with key legislators, participated in two rallies with a governor, and advocated at seven Springfield lobby days. CCH leaders spoke about the capital budget at 69 venues, mobilizing 3,020 constituent letters and organizing community core teams at schools, churches, and synagogues. Read More

Family Homelessness Prevention Program

In 1999, CCH successfully advocated the creation of an Illinois program to help families experiencing a short-term crisis that might make them homeless. In nine years, this cost-effective "homeless prevention" program has helped more than 79,000 households. Grants in 2008 averaged $800 per household. In 2006, It Takes a Home convinced state officials to increase prevention funding from $5 millionto $11 million -- increasing the number of families helped to 12,000 per year.

For more information, visit the IDHS Homeless Prevention Program.

Rental Housing Support Program

In 2005, Illinois created a Rental Housing Support Program, designed and advocated by the CCH housing campaign. The program provides long-term affordable housing for families earning less than $20,000 a year. Rental subsidies are funded by a $10 surcharge on real estate recordings, creating a program that now helps 3,000 families throughout Illinois, including 1,300 in Chicago and 500 in the suburbs. 

For more information, visit the IHDA Rental Housing Support Program.