Illinois Housing Development Authority

05/29/2026

As we close out Affordable Housing Month, we’re celebrating stories like Hailey’s. With the help of an IHDA Mortgage program, she was able to buy a home in the town she loves—a place where her son is already growing and thriving. These are the moments that drive our mission forward.

05/27/2026

Small-dollar mortgages can open doors in a big way.

IHDA's Access Plus Financing Initiative has been named a 2026 Ivory Prize runner-up in the Finance Category by Ivory Innovations.

Access Plus was created to help address a real barrier in homeownership: small-dollar mortgages can be harder for lenders to originate, even when they could help buyers access more affordable homes.

By helping offset lender origination costs, Access Plus supports more small-dollar mortgage lending and expands homeownership opportunities for low-income families and underserved borrowers across Illinois.

We're honored by this national recognition and proud to continue supporting more pathways to homeownership in Illinois.

Learn more about the Ivory Prize https://ow.ly/bj9K50Z4WFc.
Explore IHDA Mortgage programs https://ow.ly/4lMp50Z4WFa.

05/26/2026

Southbridge Phase I: built, occupied, and part of the neighborhood.

Located on Chicago's Near South Side at the center of the former Harold Ickes Homes site, Southbridge Phase I brought two six-story mixed-income buildings to the community, creating 206 homes—including 94 affordable units.

Since opening in 2021, the development has welcomed residents and businesses, adding new housing options and storefronts to a site with an ongoing redevelopment story.

05/21/2026

Why should you care about the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)?

Because the decisions behind affordable housing don't start when a shovel hits the ground. They start much earlier...with planning, priorities, feedback, and public input.

IHDA's 2027-2028 Draft Qualified Allocation Plan is now open for public comment through June 15, and a public hearing will be held June 8 at 1:00 p.m.

Read the draft and learn how to participate: https://www.ihda.org/developers/2027-2028-qap/

05/20/2026

Housing + Support = Stability.

That's the idea behind permanent supportive housing. IHDA's latest Permanent Supportive Funding round will support six developments across Illinois — expanding access to housing that meets people where they are.

Read more about the new funding announcement: https://ow.ly/11CQ50Z2pcO

05/19/2026

Join us for our upcoming Illinois Housing Blueprint Community Session in Moline this Thursday! Your voice helps shape the future of housing in Illinois, and we want to hear from you.

Register here: https://ilhousingblueprint.org/community-sessions/

05/18/2026

With Access Home, IHDA is helping remove financial barriers so more people can put down roots in the communities they love. Discover how the program supports first‑time buyers ready for their next chapter.

More than 1,500 Illinois first-time buyers received housing aid through a new state down payment program.

05/15/2026

Building affordable housing also means building the next generation of developers.

We're proud to see the Next Gen Program recognized in Tax Credit Advisor. Led by LISC Chicago and funded by IHDA. the program supports emerging developers through mentorship, training, and real-world experience while helping create more pathways into the affordable housing industry.

Read more: https://www.taxcreditadvisor.com/articles/affordable-housing-nurturing-next-great-generation/

05/14/2026

If apartment hunting in Illinois has you feeling like 😵‍💫, start here instead. ILhousingsearch.org.

Find listings, search tools, and renter resources all in one place.

05/13/2026

In northern Illinois, the Region 1 Planning Council is proving what’s possible when communities have the tools to revitalize vacant properties and expand affordable homeownership. Their success with IHDA’s Strong Communities Program shows how quickly neighborhoods can be strengthened with the right support.

Now, Round 3 of the Strong Communities Program RFA is open. Municipalities, counties, and land banks across Illinois can apply for funding to rehabilitate or demolish vacant homes, boost property values, and drive local investment.

Applications are due June 16, 2026. Join our Application Tutorial Webinar on May 20 to learn more and get started. https://www.ihda.org/my-community/revitalization-programs/