Illinois Housing Development Authority Launches Fifth Supportive Housing Institute

IHDA and CSH select 10 teams to receive training and technical assistance for affordable housing projects with support services across Illinois.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:30pm

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The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) have announced the 10 development teams selected to participate in the 2026 Supportive Housing Institute. The Institute provides accelerated training and technical assistance to equip each group with the expertise needed to successfully develop and finance affordable housing with support services.

Why it matters

Supportive housing, which pairs affordable homes with on-site or community-based services, is a vital resource for helping people facing complex challenges live with autonomy and dignity. The Institute brings together compassionate, mission-driven teams and empowers them with the skills and support needed to create housing that truly changes lives.

The details

Over the next four months, the selected teams will receive technical assistance from CSH and undergo a series of training sessions to navigate the complex process of supportive housing development, from financing and service coordination to operations and long-term property management. They will identify target tenant populations, finalize service and tenant selection plans, determine unit mix and design, and align their projects with federal and state funding requirements.

  • The 2026 Supportive Housing Institute will take place over the next four months.
  • IHDA has committed more than $103 million in financing to 13 of the 38 teams that have participated in the Institute since its inception.

The players

Kristin Faust

IHDA Executive Director.

Julie Nelson

CSH Illinois Director.

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)

A self-supporting and mission-driven state agency dedicated to financing the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Illinois.

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

A national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing.

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What they’re saying

“When someone lacks a safe, stable home, everyday challenges, like caring for their health, finding steady work, or escaping the cycle of homelessness, can be overwhelming and nearly impossible to overcome. That's why the Institute is such a vital resource: it brings together compassionate, mission-driven teams and empowers them with the skills and support needed to create housing that truly changes lives.”

— Kristin Faust, IHDA Executive Director

“CSH launched the Institute to equip teams with the skills, partnerships, and guidance needed to develop high quality supportive housing across the state. Each year, we see the impact that collaboration among housing developers, service providers, and community partners can make. We are inspired by the dedication and vision of this year's selected teams and congratulate them on their commitment to meeting the needs of their communities.”

— Julie Nelson, CSH Illinois Director

What’s next

Upon completion of the Institute, each team will have a fully developed supportive housing development plan suitable for submission to IHDA's Permanent Supportive Housing Development Program or IHDA's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, both of which currently incentivize participation. Teams that complete the program are also eligible to apply for pre-development financing through CSH's Project Initiation Loan Fund.

The takeaway

The Supportive Housing Institute demonstrates IHDA and CSH's commitment to addressing the complex challenges of homelessness and lack of affordable housing in Illinois. By empowering mission-driven teams with the skills and resources to develop supportive housing, the Institute is creating meaningful change in communities across the state.