Government Affairs

Join us on March 24th & 25th for SHPA's 2026 Advocacy Day!

March 24th at 6pm - March 25th at 2pm

Hilton Garden Inn - Springfield, IL

Our two-day advocacy event will start on Tuesday, March 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Join us at 6 pm for a reception where you will have a chance to connect with your fellow advocates and SHPA's legislative champions.

On Wednesday, March 25, we will meet at 8 am at the hotel to be sure everyone has their materials and instructions before going to the Capitol.

SOAR

Illinois SOAR Plus!

February 10th - 11th

Champaign, IL

This 2-day in-person training is intended for providers who will be completing SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applications. Application is required and does not guarantee attendance.

All SOAR events within the upcoming months can be found on our website in the "Events" page and also in the "SOAR" page.

Supportive Housing Providers Association – Together, We Can Accomplish Anything.

Peer Leadership Development Program

The Chicago Region Peer Leadership Development Workshop has officially been scheduled for the last week of February in Chicago, IL!

*Intent form will be sent out this week

Training & Technical Assistance Center

Upcoming Trainings:

Frontline Staff Empowerment - Professional Development

Feb 10th, at 1:00pm

2026 IDHS Grantee TA Office Hours

"Show Your Work"

(If it's Not Documented it Didn't Happen)



Tuesday, February 17th 10:00am-12:30pm

April 14th 10:00am-12:30pm

June 9th 10:00am-12:30pm

Aug 4th 10:00am-12:30pm

Sept 29th 10:00am-12:30pm

Standards & Best Practices Committee Meeting - February 23rd, at 11:30pm

Mark your calendars and stay engaged! Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in supportive housing. Let's keep the momentum going!

Warm regards,

Monique Williams

Illinois Coordinator/Training T/A Manager 

Save the Date!

Webinar Overview of Low Barrier Shelter Training Series and Policy Workshops 2026

Please join the Illinois Homelessness Education and Technical Assistance Center and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness for a webinar introducing the Low Barrier Shelter Guide and associated virtual and in-person training opportunities through June. 

In 2024-2025 the Low Barrier Shelter Guide was developed in partnership with the Illinois Shelter Alliance. The purpose is to outline key areas of shelter operations and describe in more detail ways in which to make every operation more low barrier. The Guidebook is a rich resource with links to active training and webinars that would benefit all shelter staff. 

In 2026, the Illinois HETA Center will coordinate four on-line trainings and up to three in-person workshops to help shelter staff and leadership update policies. The training series and workshops will be delivered by Illinois Shelter providers who have adopted low barrier practices. This information will be presented during the webinar on February 6th.

Friday, February 6, 2026

10 am CST

Please save the date and be on the lookout for a WebEx invitation from OPEH in January.

HETA Center Onboards New Projects



In the second quarter 2025, the HETA Center added several new projects. Parkwyn Training & Consulting, led by Abby Kirkman formerly of PRA Inc, will provide statewide SOAR TA in collaboration with SHPA and IDHS. CSH was selected to provide technical assistance with TASC, who is implementing a new Reentry Supportive Housing Project, making a direct housing placement from Illinois Department of Corrections, who are determined to need supportive housing upon release. This initiative is focused in west-central Illinois. In more reentry support, Re!nstitute will facilitate a reentry housing acceleration process mapping with the Illinois Department of Corrections and OPEH.

Grants to Illinois individuals and households in eligible locations for financial assistance. Funding is intended to help income-eligible residents pay for electric, water, and gas bills, as well as repairing or replacing their heating systems.

Grants to Illinois Individuals and Families in Eligible Locations for Financial Assistance