Fix Our Homes Illinois

“The inability to repair and update one’s home is an intractable, deadly epidemic.”

— Professor Robin Bartram, University of Chicago

Fix Our Homes Illinois is a coalition that H.O.M.E. launched in April 2023 with like-minded community groups engaged with the DePaul Institute for Housing Studies’ research study on the housing needs of older people in Chicago and Cook County, on whose community advisory board H.O.M.E. sat. Our catalyst? Editorials that appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Crain’s Chicago Business by Prof. Robin Bartram, then of Tulane and now at the University of Chicago, declaring to the political world and to the public what all of us already knew: that the way we were allowing our seniors to live, particularly Black seniors in our institutionally neglected neighborhoods amidst danger and disrepair, was both a moral and existential crisis.

Exciting News! With the support of Fix Our Homes Illinois, Rep. Kevin Olickal introduced House Bill 5506, also known as the Senior Home Preservation Program Act. Learn more about this bill and what we hope to achieve here. Organizational endorsements are welcome here.

Housing Justice Begins in the Homes of Seniors: Fix Our Homes Illinois

Step into a world where homes are safe havens, where dignity and comfort reign supreme. Fix Our Homes Illinois is not just a coalition; it's a beacon of hope for low-income homeowners across Illinois and Chicago. Our mission is simple yet profound: to secure more public funding and resources for home repairs, ensuring that every senior can age at home with safety, comfort, and dignity.

At the heart of every neighborhood are older people, the anchors of our communities. Especially in low-income areas and towns, seniors play a pivotal role in shaping the fabric of our society. In Chicago, Black homeownership on the south and west sides significantly overlaps with senior homeownership. This underscores the urgent need to support seniors in aging at home with safety, comfort, and dignity, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for entire communities.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (2017), older individuals with low incomes face some of the highest average home repair costs across the nation. Moreover, people of color, whether they rent or own, are more likely to encounter housing problems compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. This disparity underscores the pressing need for action.

Low-income senior homeowners are in dire need of more accessible home repair resources, an increased presence of repair specialists willing to assist them, and a simplified, coordinated system for accessing these vital services. By addressing these challenges, we not only ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors but also contribute to the financial security of families and the overall resilience of our communities. Additionally, tackling these issues is a crucial step towards bridging the racial wealth gap and promoting equity.

The Fix Our Homes Illinois Coalition unites organizations dedicated to amplifying public funding and staffing for home repairs among low-income homeowners. Our immediate focus centers on seniors of color residing in Chicago and other Illinois communities, which have endured generations of race-based equity depletion. Our overarching aim is to establish a resilient, cohesive infrastructure for home repairs and modifications throughout Illinois and Chicago. We envision a streamlined process with minimal bureaucratic obstacles, ensuring swift access to cash, utility subsidies, and specialized repair services for those in need.

Want to learn more about why the Fix Our Homes Illinois Coalition is essential? Dive into our fact sheet and Case Statement for insights into the pressing issues facing seniors and communities across Illinois.

“If I could have had a grant opportunity, I would still have my mother’s property to leave to my children for an inheritance.”

— Gloria Banks, Member of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere (M.O.V.E)

Fix Our Homes Illinois Town Hall

On Saturday, December 9th H.O.M.E. along with our community partners launched the Fix Our Homes! Illinois Coalition at Morning Star Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.

Thank you to WGN News for covering this incredibly pivotal and powerful event.

“Right now we're struggling to pay that credit card with the money that we had to charge for the roof. So it's a burden... We're on a fixed income, and it's a struggle every day.”

— Susan (62-year-old white owner of a 120-year-old single-family home, Chicago)

Campaign Objectives

Raise awareness – raising awareness among policymakers, the media, and other key audiences about the significant and growing repair needs of older homeowners.

Advocate – for state and city policies that would increase home repair resources for low-income older homeowners.

Educate – older homeowners about services available to them.

In the coming months, Fix Our Homes Illinois will meet with policymakers and community members, compile a list of public and private home repair resources currently available, promote these resources among homeowners, and create policy solutions to address homeowners’ repair needs. Are you interested in getting involved? Sign up at the form below and if you have any questions, contact H.O.M.E. Executive Director Gail Schechter at Gails@homeseniors.org or (773) 295-2711.