Billions in Housing Funds: Illinois Wants Feedback

Illinois public officials are seeking public input to guide billions in affordable housing investments through the state's upcoming 2027-2028 tax credit allocation plan.

Public Asked to Help Shape Illinois Housing Policy

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is inviting residents, housing advocates, and developers across the state to weigh in on how billions of dollars in affordable housing investments will be distributed over the next two years.

The agency has launched a public survey and scheduled two summit meetings as it drafts its 2027-2028 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP).

The QAP determines how Illinois awards Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the federal government's primary tool for financing affordable rental housing. IHDA officials say community feedback will directly influence how housing developments are prioritized, funded, and preserved statewide.

Billions at Stake for Illinois Communities

LIHTC was created under the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and remains the nation's largest public-private partnership for affordable multifamily housing.

Over the past five years alone, the program generated more than $2.5 billion in private capital in Illinois, helping create or preserve 17,800 housing units, according to the press release.

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As the state's allocating agency, IHDA is legally required to publish a QAP outlining how tax credits will be awarded annually. The document details scoring criteria for development proposals and establishes funding priorities that can significantly impact urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Key Dates: Survey and Summit Meetings

There is a public survey that is now open through March 31, and there are two hybrid summits that will also be held in Illinois: March 11 in Springfield, and March 20 in Chicago.

Advance registration is required for in-person and virtual attendance, according to the press release.

Housing policy experts say participation in the QAP process is critical, as it shapes where affordable housing is built and who ultimately benefits across Illinois.