Upcoming Joining Forces meetings
Joining Forces Monthly Member Meeting
1st Monday of the Month, 1-3PM
Register for Monthly Meeting Here
If you would like us to run a Affordable Housing 101 session for your group, please let us know at joiningforces@connect2home.org.
1st Monday of the Month, 1-3PM
Register for Monthly Meeting Here
If you would like us to run a Affordable Housing 101 session for your group, please let us know at joiningforces@connect2home.org.
Action Alerts
Advocacy Day in Springfield
Joining Forces is excited to announce our 2023 Advocacy Trip to Springfield on April 18 and 19 where we will be meeting with legislators to discuss important housing bills.
What We're Advocating For
Joining Forces is excited to announce our 2023 Advocacy Trip to Springfield on April 18 and 19 where we will be meeting with legislators to discuss important housing bills.
What We're Advocating For
- State Budget
- We are asking for an increase of $75 million to support and expand homeless services in Illinois.
Governor Pritzker’s FY24 transformational budget proposal for $350 million in combined federal and state funding to implement HOME Illinois creates a foundation for achieving functional zero homelessness over the next several years. We ask state legislators to co-sponsor these appropriations bills to demonstrate support for funding HOME Illinois and additional resources for existing programs that were flat-funded in the Governor’s budget proposal to make sure currently funded providers can better prevent and end homelessness.
- We are asking for an increase of $75 million to support and expand homeless services in Illinois.
- SB 1476
- This bill will provide necessary reforms to the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act (AHPAA) to ensure that each community does its fair share to provide affordable housing. We want to increase the municipal floor for affordable housing from 10% to at least 30%, and make both the planning requirements and enforcement of the law clearer and stronger.
- Click here for more details
It is Witness Slip Season
Many alerts over spring will ask you to fill out various witness slips to support bills that are related to affordable housing in Illinois.
Tips on Filling Out a Witness Slip in Support of Bills
1. Fill out all the required contact information
2. If you can slip on behalf of your organization, include your organization name under “Representation”; if you don’t fill out this part, the slip will be interpreted as an on behalf of an individual; if you are filing as an individual, just put “Self” under “Representation.”
3. Select “Position” as “PROPONENT.” Double check to make sure you clicked the correct box!
4. Under “Testimony" select “Record of Appearance Only.”
5. Agree to the "Terms of Agreement” and click on the "Create(Slip)" button.
6. You’ll receive a copy of your witness slip via email. If you create an account at my.ilga.gov, you can manage/edit your witness slips.
hot topics and blog posts
Springfield Lobby Day - 2/22/23
By Max Seeley
Walking into the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield for the first time, it is easy to feel a sense of awe. Knowing that these are the same halls that a young Barack Obama walked at the start of his political career and the same chambers where Abraham Lincoln served leads to a sense of inspiration and hope. This building that’s dedicated to democracy and progress for the Prairie State is filled with citizens from all walks of life, advocating for policies that they believe will make our state a better place to call home. This is what brought me to Springfield on February 22. Read more here.
By Max Seeley
Walking into the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield for the first time, it is easy to feel a sense of awe. Knowing that these are the same halls that a young Barack Obama walked at the start of his political career and the same chambers where Abraham Lincoln served leads to a sense of inspiration and hope. This building that’s dedicated to democracy and progress for the Prairie State is filled with citizens from all walks of life, advocating for policies that they believe will make our state a better place to call home. This is what brought me to Springfield on February 22. Read more here.
Advocacy Spotlight: Kimberly Holmes Ross
This advocacy spotlight is focused on Kimberly Holmes-Ross, the Community Engagement Director/ Interim Executive Director at Evanston Cradle to Career. She is a third-generation Evanstonian who was born and raised in the 5th ward. Then, after traveling around the country, she came back and settled in the 2nd ward to raise her family. Like many people who live in Evanston, she has a strong connection to the community and recognizes all that the city has to offer its citizens. Read more here.
This advocacy spotlight is focused on Kimberly Holmes-Ross, the Community Engagement Director/ Interim Executive Director at Evanston Cradle to Career. She is a third-generation Evanstonian who was born and raised in the 5th ward. Then, after traveling around the country, she came back and settled in the 2nd ward to raise her family. Like many people who live in Evanston, she has a strong connection to the community and recognizes all that the city has to offer its citizens. Read more here.
Joining Forces' 2023 Goals
Here are the goals that Joining Forces for Affordable Housing will be focusing on in 2023: Read more here.
Here are the goals that Joining Forces for Affordable Housing will be focusing on in 2023: Read more here.
WHATS HAPPENING
at joining forces
Looking at the City Code Through an Equity--and Affordability Lens
Joining Forces has identified changes the City of Evanston should make to its City Code to erase all traces of red-lining and increase affordability. We think surrounding municipalities should do revisions as well. Learn more here.
Joining Forces has identified changes the City of Evanston should make to its City Code to erase all traces of red-lining and increase affordability. We think surrounding municipalities should do revisions as well. Learn more here.
in illinois
Information from our state partners:
across the nation
Information from our national partners:
housing in the news
Evergreen Plans Renovation of Historic Cleveland Building - From Affordable Housing Finance
Going Green a Win-Win for Affordable Housing - From Affordable Housing Finance
Prioritization in Emergency Rental Assistance Programs; A Framework of Strategies, Policies, and Procedures to Better Serve Priority Populations - From the National Low Income Housing Coalition
Build Modular Housing Factories Near Areas with High Housing Costs - From Shelterforce
What the US Can Learn from Rental Housing Markets across the Globe - From The Brookings Institute
Bills to Increase Affordable Housing Resources Introduced in the House and Senate - From the National Low Income Housing Coalition
How Biden Hopes to Fix the Thorniest Problem in Housing - From Politico
Amy Klobuchar Has a Plan to Build More Housing - From Vox media
Why Are Zoning Laws Defining What Constitutes a Family? - From Bloomberg CityLab
Affordable Housing Forever- From The New York Times
Study Examines Complexity of Financing LIHTC Developments- From Affordable Housing Finance
Going Green a Win-Win for Affordable Housing - From Affordable Housing Finance
Prioritization in Emergency Rental Assistance Programs; A Framework of Strategies, Policies, and Procedures to Better Serve Priority Populations - From the National Low Income Housing Coalition
Build Modular Housing Factories Near Areas with High Housing Costs - From Shelterforce
What the US Can Learn from Rental Housing Markets across the Globe - From The Brookings Institute
Bills to Increase Affordable Housing Resources Introduced in the House and Senate - From the National Low Income Housing Coalition
How Biden Hopes to Fix the Thorniest Problem in Housing - From Politico
Amy Klobuchar Has a Plan to Build More Housing - From Vox media
Why Are Zoning Laws Defining What Constitutes a Family? - From Bloomberg CityLab
Affordable Housing Forever- From The New York Times
Study Examines Complexity of Financing LIHTC Developments- From Affordable Housing Finance
