Government Affairs

Dear SHPA Members, Leaders, and Advocates,

Before sharing our end of session recap, I want to take a moment to thank you.

In the face of unprecedented challenges, SHPA members and advocates showed up! Over the course of this session, you sent over 300 emails to your General Assembly members, you answered every call for witness slips, you made your presence felt during advocacy day, and most importantly, you made your voice heard.

SHPA’s ability to advance supportive housing in Illinois depends entirely on the strength of our members, Peer Leaders, and community partners. I am incredibly proud to represent this network every day at the Capitol and even more proud to stand alongside you in the fight to ensure that every person in this state has access to safe, stable, and permanent housing.

Thank you,

Max Seeley

Director of Government Affairs

SOAR

Upcoming SOAR Plus Training Opportunity



Parkwyn Training and Consulting will hold their last SOAR training for this fiscal year. If you have any case workers that need to become SOAR trained or any new hires, please have them register as soon as possible.

REGISTER HERE

The Social Security Administration (SSA) started to phase out paper checks as of September 30^, 2025. In line with Executive Order 14247, most federal benefit payments—including Social Security, SSI, and SSDI—must be delivered electronically and beneficiaries must transition to Direct Deposit or a Direct Express® prepaid debit card.

Critical Challenges for Unhoused Clients

• Banking Barriers: Many clients lack the bank accounts required for direct deposit.
• Digital Literacy: Cognitive impairments or low-tech skills make managing online accounts difficult.
• Theft Risks: Stolen, lost, or delayed paper checks remain a crisis until a secure setup is active.
• Waiver Exceptions: Temporary paper checks require filing a formal waiver with the U.S. Treasury.

How You Can Help

Please review your current client roster immediately. Assist unhoused individuals with opening basic bank accounts, registering for the Direct Express® card, or navigating the U.S. Treasury waiver process to prevent an immediate disruption in their vital income (1-877-874-6347)

Here are the steps if you do have a bank account:

• Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account.
• Add your bank account information to receive your payment as a direct deposit.
• You can also ask your financial institution to send your direct deposit information to Social Security electronically.

If you need your payments to go directly to a prepaid debit card, go to GoDirect.gov or call 1-800-333-1795

If you have trouble with setting up your direct deposit, you can call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance!

SOAR Convening Recap:



SHPA Held their SOAR Convening last month. Both days created collaborations to continue SOARS reach and success. In partnership, SOAR leads and advocates discussed better processes and outcomes to serve all those in need of SSI/SSDI. Here are a few pictures from our event!

Want to stay in the know for everything SOAR?

Sign up for SHPA’s SOAR Newsletter!

Do you have any SOAR outcomes from 2025- now?

(This link is only for SOAR caseworkers that are assisting clients with applying for SSI/SSDI)

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 Peer Leadership Development Workshop series provided participants with the Lived Expertise of homelessness a structured opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and develop practical skills they can apply when asked to step into Peer Leadership roles.

SHPA’s Peer Leadership Development Workshop aims to build foundational leadership skills, prepare participants to support others through their own Lived Expertise, and strengthen collaborative, community-centered approaches to facilitate change.

Across the workshop, participants explored core leadership concepts such as communication, collaboration, active listening, problem-solving, and inclusive facilitation, while also reflecting on their own leadership style and areas for growth. The workshops emphasized learning through discussion, shared experience, and applied practice, allowing participants to engage and strengthen their ability to support, guide, and influence others in meaningful ways.

As an outcome, the workshops helped participants leave with a stronger sense of purpose, greater readiness to lead within their communities or organizations, and a clearer understanding of how peer leadership can foster connection, trust, and positive change.

A sincere thank you to the SHPA Peers who facilitated workshops this year and did an outstanding job continuing the Peer-facilitated series. We look forward to offering another round of workshops in the next fiscal year.

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Day, SHPA’s Director of Peer leadership. s.day@shpa-il.org

Our Peer Leadership Committee meets

every fourth Wednesday of the month at 4pm.

To join our Peer Leadership Development Program, please reach out to

Susan Day at s.day@shpa-il.org

Training & Technical Assistance Center

Upcoming Trainings:

Core Concepts of Care

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 1:00PM - 2:30PM CDT

SHPA - Frontline staff Resource Connect:

New SNAP work requirements are now in effect in Illinois.

People experiencing homelessness may qualify for exemptions, please use the links below to view details and access resources.

Log into ABE.Illinois.gov → Manage My Case → Manage My SNAP Work Requirements → Check the exemption box  

Submit Form 2341 - Request for Exemption (Form 2341 in Spanish) by fax, mail, or in person at an IDHS office  

Call the IDHS Helpline: 1-800-843-6154 to request an exemption. Provider staff can complete Form 2340 - Unable to Work Determination (Form 2340 in Spanish) 

Links for additional information:

IDHS: SNAP Work Requirements & Exemptions

IDHS: SNAP Federal Impact Center



Standards & Best Practices Committee Meeting - June 22, at 11:30pm

Mark your calendars and stay engaged!

Fueling The Flame:

Pause, you are doing the work. Remember to give yourself the same grace you serve your clients with. You cannot pour from an empty cup, prioritize self-renewal.

Positive Affirmation:

“Today I choose to pace myself, honor my capacity, and remember that my well being is the foundation of my strength.”

Additional Resource Links:

Self-care | Active Minds

The Self-Care Wheel: Wellness Worksheets, Activities & PDF

How to Prepare for Stress Awareness Month?

For immediate support, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. You can reach out by calling or texting 988 or by visiting 988lifeline.org

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 

Home Illinois Summit Recap!

The Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) hosted its fourth annual Home Illinois Summit in Springfield on May 12–13. This inspiring gathering brought together leaders, individuals with lived expertise, elected officials, experts, service providers, and philanthropists to share innovative solutions, address challenges, and celebrate progress in ending homelessness across our state.

Throughout the Summit, attendees participated in sessions focused on strengthening prevention strategies, expanding collaboration across sectors, and driving meaningful change. Networking opportunities connected partners from every corner of Illinois, fostering a stronger, more unified statewide effort.

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered and facilitated sessions!

Career Opportunities with Treatment Alternative for Safe Communities!

Social Service Trainee Opportunities with IDHS!

Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) Training, Technical Assistance and Development (TTAD) Notice of Funding Opportunity ARI TTAD NOFO # 2115-0426