Housing Action Illinois
Housing Action Illinois is a statewide advocacy and capacity-building organization based in Chicago that mobilizes a network of member organizations to advance affordable housing and end homelessness across Illinois. The organization has been operating for more than 35 years, having been established in 1988. It functions as a coalition bringing together housing counseling agencies, homeless service providers, affordable housing developers, policymakers, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and corporations around a shared vision of expanding housing opportunities.
Key facts about Housing Action Illinois
- EIN
- 36-3585238
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,324,275
- Grants made (2024)
- 31
- Average grant
- $42,719
- Median grant
- $37,799
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 31, 2024)
- Total assets
- $2,875,686
- Primary geography
- Illinois (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Housing Action Illinois funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Housing Action Illinois's 31 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (83%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (9 grants) and Detroit, MI (2 grants). None of its 31 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
Is Housing Action Illinois open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 31 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $44K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.9M
+29.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
31
-8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+4.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To increase and preserve the supply of quality, affordable, accessible homes in Illinois for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
Vision: To create an environment where all Illinois residents, particularly people with the lowest incomes, have a voice in housing policy and community development.
Core Values: Housing Action Illinois is committed to the belief that housing is a human right and works to advance equitable community development and affirmatively further racial justice.
The organization operates across three primary program areas:
- Policy Advocacy: Mobilizing members to advocate for policies that help end homelessness, create affordable rental housing, and promote sustainable homeownership
- Capacity Building: Providing technical assistance and training to housing counseling agencies and affordable housing developers; managing a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Intermediary program and an AmeriCorps network
- Education & Organizing: Building awareness and shifting narratives through information sharing and real-life stories directed at policymakers, nonprofit service providers, and media
Grantmaking
Housing Action Illinois makes pass-through grants to affiliated direct service housing counseling agencies. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
Ready to take the next step with Housing Action Illinois?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Housing Action Illinois operates statewide throughout Illinois, with a primary office location in Chicago. The organization has created access and housing opportunities in every community throughout the state and maintains a membership base of 200+ organizations distributed across Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 31 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total revenues: $3,577,625
- Total expenses: $3,819,734
- Total assets: $2,229,533
- Number of employees: 81
Organization Status:
- 501(c)(3) public charity
- IRS ruling year: 1988
- EIN: 36-3585238
- Four-Star rating with 96% overall score
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,875,686 | $2,229,533 | $2,430,365 |
| Revenue | $4,360,182 | $3,577,625 | $3,360,179 |
| Expenses | $4,108,391 | $3,819,734 | $3,116,340 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $37,278 | $17,437 | $13,028 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
191 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Lake County Housing Authority ($87,271), Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago ($79,970), HOME DuPage ($79,167).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lake County Housing Authority Grayslake, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $87,271 |
| Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $79,970 |
| HOME DuPage Wheaton, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $79,167 |
| CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation Effingham, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $78,746 |
| Open Communities Evanston, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $75,309 |
| Northside Community Development Corporation Chicago, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $73,657 |
| Center for Changing Lives Chicago, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $71,767 |
| Restoration America Inc Crystal Lake, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $65,042 |
| Embarras River Basin Agency Greenup, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $54,324 |
| Far South Community Development Corporation Chicago, IL | Pass through grant for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program | $53,444 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Sharon Legenza
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darsonya Switzer | Co-Chair | 2 | — |
| Laura Olvera Yarza | Co-Chair | 2 | — |
| Kurt Kuyawa | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Nicole Clements | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Brigitta Mac-Rizzo | Director | 2 | — |
| Carl Wolf | Director | 2 | — |
| Cornell Lurry | Director | 2 | — |
| Horacio Mendez | Director | 2 | — |
| Jackie Newman | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Taff | Director | 2 | — |
| John Herring Sr | Director | 2 | — |
| Margaret Wooten | Director | 2 | — |
| Nick Dodson | Director | 2 | — |
| Paula bush | Director | 2 | — |
| Shalonda Bedenfield | Director | 2 | — |
| Sharon Legenza | Executive Director | 40 | $143,169 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Housing Action Illinois has been actively engaged in advocacy efforts, including:
Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability CounselingUrging HUD to avoid policies that would force thousands of Illinoisans into homelessness (November 2025)
Housing Advocates Urge HUD to Avoid Forcing Thousands of ...Publishing regular housing updates and newsletters to keep stakeholders informed of industry developments and policy changes
Housing Updates: November 2025Launching an Action Center to expand access to affordable housing and prevent and end homelessness
Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability CounselingThe organization continues to conduct workshops, provide direct technical assistance to nonprofit housing developers and counseling agencies, and manage an AmeriCorps VISTA program supporting members across the state.
Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability CounselingFrequently Asked Questions
What does Housing Action Illinois fund?
**Mission:** To increase and preserve the supply of quality, affordable, accessible homes in Illinois for low- and moderate-income families and individuals. **Vision:** To create an environment where all Illinois residents, particularly people with the lowest incomes, have a voice in housing policy and community development. **Core Values:** Housing Action Illinois is committed to the belief that housing is a human right and works to advance equitable community development and affirmatively fur…
How do I apply for a grant from Housing Action Illinois?
Housing Action Illinois makes pass-through grants to affiliated direct service housing counseling agencies. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • **Housing Counseling Stability Program (HSCP):** The organization was awarded more than $1 million in Housing Stability Counseling Program funding (as of October 2021) • **Grant recipients:** Include organizations such as Embarras River Basin Agency for HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling Programs The organization also manages AmeriCorps VISTA stip…
Where does Housing Action Illinois make grants?
Housing Action Illinois operates statewide throughout Illinois, with a primary office location in Chicago. The organization has created access and housing opportunities in every community throughout the state and maintains a membership base of 200+ organizations distributed across Illinois.
What size grants does Housing Action Illinois award?
In 2024, Housing Action Illinois awarded 31 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Housing Action Illinois's EIN?
Housing Action Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3585238. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Housing Action Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.