Housing Authority of Champaign County

THE HOUSING HUB

Monthly Newsletter

HACC Homeownership Informational with guest speaker Jimmy Stewart

A huge thank you to Jimmy Stewart from The Chicago Housing Authority for coming to HACC and sharing such valuable insights on the path to homeownership. Your expertise and passion were truly inspiring. We also want to thank all of our guests who attended. Your engagement and enthusiasm made the presentation a great success and showed a strong desire to bring new homeownership opportunities to our community. We're so excited to see what the future holds for everyone who took part!

Employee Spotlight

September Champion of the Month - Latoya Merriweather

We are so excited to announce LaToya Merriweather as this month's Champion. She stands out for her professionalism, collaborative spirit, and positive attitude. Colleagues consistently praise her willingness to work together on shared clients, whether for a SHIFT or an LSS referral, and her ability to hold clients accountable while remaining kind. Described as a "bright light" with "contagious positive energy," LaToya is recognized for making the workplace a better and more upbeat place for everyone, not just her immediate team. She's also noted for being incredibly hardworking and always willing to help, making her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

YouthBuild Insights

YouthBuild has been busy! Students honed their skills with power tools and teamwork on new projects, building confidence and career experience. They also gave back to the community, volunteering at the Rantoul Food Bank to turn donated t-shirts into reusable bags. The crew also stepped outside their comfort zone with a team-building day at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, focusing on personal growth and leadership development. To cap it all off, the team participated in HACC's Job and Resource Fair.

YouthBuild on the Community Coalition Youth Violence Panel

HACC YouthBuild alumni Davon and current student Travon spoke on a panel with Tracy Parson at the Community Coalition. They discussed the impact of gun violence on communities and focused on key solutions: expanding career opportunities for youth with felonies, providing stronger support for families, and creating more pathways to hope and stability. We are incredibly proud of how they have transformed their lives and now serve as powerful examples of the value of the YouthBuild program.

Click here to watch!

YouthBuild Students of the Month

Student of the Month - Amarion Ross

Congratulations to YouthBuild's Student of the Month Amarion Ross. Amarion is someone you can truly depend on, whether he's helping a student or leading by example. He was initially very reserved, and we weren't sure if he would use YouthBuild to its full potential. However, over the past couple of months, he has found trust in the program, his peers, and the skills he has gained. We are amazed by his transformation and incredibly proud of his journey!

Student of the Month - Tamia Junius

Congratulations to YouthBuild's Student of the Month Tamia Junius. Tamia is a remarkable student and a natural leader. Her journey exemplifies the spirit of YouthBuild: she faced an initial setback when she wasn't admitted on her first try, but she used the tools we provided to return, stronger and more committed than ever. We couldn't be more proud of her dedication and how far she has come!

HACC's 2025 Job & Resource Fair

This month, HACC hosted a successful Job and Resource Fair, and we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made it possible. To all the businesses and organizations that participated, your kindness, expertise, and dedication to helping our community were truly inspiring. Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge. And to everyone who attended, thank you for coming out! We hope you found all the information you needed to start your next chapter. Your enthusiasm and curiosity made this event a huge success.

MTW - Operation Orange

The MTW and Client Outreach Department spent their Thursday, September 18, volunteering at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank for its annual Operation Orange event. They worked together to package, sort, and prepare fresh produce and canned goods, which will be distributed to residents across Central Illinois.

Bingo at Haven Place!

Our senior residents at Haven love an intense game of bingo and this month was no different! It is always a great time to catch up with them and watch them have some fun.

September Supportive Services Summary

Don't Miss Your Chance to Earn $34,000

Families at HACC's SHIFT Program have an opportunity to earn up to $34,000!

The HUD FSS Program empowers families to achieve financial independence. By offering financial incentives, case management, and supportive services, it helps participants increase their income, save for future goals, and break out of the cycle of poverty. Through this program, families can gain the tools and resources needed to build a brighter future for themselves.

For questions, please email Jamesz@hacc.net

HUD's Current Updates - September 25th, 2025

ICYMI | HUD Hosts Historic Innovative Housing Showcase, Underscores Commitment to Harnessing Innovation to Reduce Housing Costs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hosted its annual Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall welcoming more than 5,000 people, including policymakers, industry leaders, media, and members of the public. Themed, “The American Home is the American Dream,” the showcase commemorated America’s 250th birthday in partnership with the America250 Initiative, and spotlighted private sector innovation driving the American Dream of homeownership.

“Homeownership is central to the American Dream,” said Secretary Turner. “A home is much more than just four walls and a roof. It’s much more than just a financial investment. It is the foundation upon which Americans build lives of independence, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. These bedrock American values have defined us since the founding of our great nation and turned our country into a beacon of prosperity and hope.”