Government Affairs

Happy New Year!

We are into January, which means the General Assembly will be back in session this month. This will be an important year for advocacy, and we will need all hands-on deck to protect and expand access to Supportive Housing here in Illinois!

Click here to join our Government Affairs Committee and help steer SHPA's advocacy this spring!"

SOAR

We have officially added a new member of our team! We are so excited to for you to meet our Illinois SOAR Coordinator, Alivia!

A little about Alivia Perteet,

Alivia started her career with SOAR in 2023. During this time, Alivia increased the approval rate of applicants from 37% to 51%. She achieved this by consistently holding trainings and sending out SOAR newsletters. Alivia established a contact within Social Security offices, so that they could be aware of all SOAR cases and other important SOAR updates. She also completed a large cohort to review previous SOAR knowledge whilst also providing CEUs. A fun fact about Alivia is that she is a major book worm and is currently writing her own book that she plans to self-publish!

Welcome to SHPA, Alivia!

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 Central Region Peer Leadership Development Workshop has officially been scheduled for the last week of January in Springfield, IL!

Training & Technical Assistance Center

Upcoming Trainings:

Building an Anti-Racist Organization - January 20th, 1pm CST

• Standards & Best 2025 QA Survey – Coming Soon!

• Standards & Best Practices Committee Meeting - January 19th, 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.

Reminder! Legal Aid Chicago Public Benefits Training Series

SNAP: Nuts and Bolts of Navigating New Requirements

January 13, 2026

11am-12pm CST

Live on TEAMS

For years, SNAP Work Requirements have not been in effect for nearly all of Illinois. Because of OBBBA, that is changing. SNAP  Work requirements will go into effect on February 2026. That means that those who IDHS believes are not exempt from and not complying with SNAP Work Requirements will lose access to SNAP in May 2026.

In this training we will discuss:

• What are SNAP Work Requirements?
• Who is subject to the work requirements?
• What should SNAP recipients do if they cannot meet work requirements?
• What should SNAP recipients do if they are meeting the work requirements?
• What can I do if my SNAP benefits are terminated because of work requirements?

Note that this situation is still in flux as DHS continues developing and refining policies related to work requirements. We will provide the most up-to-date information we have, and will provide actionable steps to protect ongoing SNAP eligibility.

Please feel free to submit any questions you have on these topics before the training by emailing gmashon@legalaidchicago.org.

Peer Workforce Professional Development Workshops Kick Off January!

LEAP4Ward will kick off a new initiative as a part of the Illinois Homelessness Response Collaborative the week of January 12, 2026. Two cohorts will meet in Chicago and Springfield to provide Peer Workforce Professional Development Workshops. Peers are a central value in successful homelessness, housing, and reentry response systems delivery and leadership. The registration is closed but updates for future cohorts will be shared this spring. 



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