Joining Forces for Affordable Housing (JFAH) is the advocacy initiative of Connections for the Homeless.

JFAH works to advance local policies that expand affordable housing and prevent homelessness across northeastern Illinois. While Connections provides direct services—such as housing, support services, and prevention—JFAH focuses on systems change, organizing residents, building coalitions, and engaging local governments to address the root causes of housing instability.

Together, Connections and JFAH ensure that people not only receive the support they need today, but that communities are changing the policies and practices needed to make housing affordable and accessible for the long term.  

Connections' Policy & Advocacy Staff

Kristen White

Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy

Sue Loellbach

Senior Policy Advisor

Liz Nelson

Associate Director of Advocacy — Lake County

Shereemer Chevannes

Associate Director of Advocacy — Cook County

Jasmine Cazares

Advocacy and Internal Communications Manager

Braeden Nelson

Policy Research and Impact Coordinator

Emma Yarger

Education and Outreach Specialist