Announcements

Tax Relief for Affordable Housing Owners

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Senator Mike Simmons and Voice of the People in Uptown is inviting representatives of affordable housing owners to “Meet the Commissioner” — Samantha Steele of the Cook County Board of Review at a short presentation and reception Wednesday, July 19th, 4 pm at Truman College.

You’ll want to meet Ms. Steele, District 2 Commissioner, who has been elected by citizens of northern Chicagoland and charged with helping to make our property tax system more fair and equitable through property tax appeals.

She’ll be joined by other recently elected public officials, including 13th District State Representative Hoan Huynh and Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward, who are committed to advancing support to affordable housing owners who are key to maintaining the economic, racial and needs diversity we have in Chicago communities. SEE OUR ANNOUNCEMENT FLYER.

Sen. Mike Simmons, session host, along with Voice of the People, a non-profit and tenant-led housing organization, are bringing affordable housing owners together on issues of common concern, beginning with property taxes.

Property taxes that are too high can threaten cash flows and long term viability of affordable housing developments — even as owners absorb hidden “social costs” not always reflected in the property financial statements, nor submitted as background for assessment and appeals. This will be the subject of a short presentation by our resource person, Craig Donnewald, Esq. of Finkel Martwick & Colson.

The information is not legal advice, but guidance to non-profit and affordable housing owners or partner representatives, asset managers and property management professionals who work closely with legal counsel or consultants seeking relief with property tax appeals.

If you’d like to attend, please rsvp to events@vophousing.com or call 773.769.2442 for more information.

Voice is Hiring!

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Job Announcement

Updated: September 2021

Senior Support Coach
Resident Opportunity Services (ROS) Program

Starting Pay: $38-42,500with benefits, depending on skills and experience

Position Summary

Under supervision of the ROS program manager, the Senior Support Coach will conduct outreach, provide supportive counseling, enable community building activities, and perform various duties in support of older residents residing in Voice-sponsored affordable housing developments in the Uptown Community.  S/he will take a lead role in linking low-income, senior residents and their families to services and opportunities that address social, health, economic, cultural, and recreational needs and interests. The position is full time, with a schedule that is flexible to meet residents’ needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Support Coach will

  • Assess needs and interests of senior residents, including home environment, physical and mental health status, and resources, via voluntary participation and with referrals from property management;
  • Provide incident response services, ongoing case management services and coordination; database management  and reporting consistent with policies, security protocols, and confidentiality procedures; and regular communications with senior program participants by phone, virtual meetings, home and office visits, email and other correspondence;.
  • In program support and service coordination, the Senior Support Coach may conduct outreach and act as liaison to agencies, institutions, medical providers, property management, and organize social or “community building” events, such as intergenerational activities, field trips, gardening projects, health/fitness classes, and financial support workshops; and, 
  • As part of on-going data collection efforts, the Senior Support Coach will help with an organization-wide effort to collect baseline information from each household in Voice owned and partner buildings. 

VIEW FULL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.

Voice of the People in Uptown Awarded $50,000 to Launch Senior Services

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Uptown, Chicago  – The RRF Foundation for Aging has awarded community-based nonprofit Voice of the People in Uptown a $50,000 grant in support of the organization’s new Resident Opportunity Services Program that serves the 14 Voice owned and affiliated buildings. 

The funding is part of the RRF Foundation for Aging’s priority to support organizations that make housing more affordable and provide coordinated services that enable older people to live safely in community settings and improve the quality of life for older people. 

Voice has been providing and advocating for affordable housing in the Uptown and Greater Chicago community for over 50 years. As part of the organization’s strategic plan for the next 50 years, in FY2019 Voice launched its new program Resident Opportunity Services. The program provides and connects Voice’s 214 households with social, cultural, recreational, and economic opportunities to improve residents’ housing stability and overall quality of life. 

The grant will increase the program’s capacity allowing for staff to provide senior specific services to the over 40% of Voice households that include at least one household member who is a senior, has a reported disability or health risk. This is one of ten resident identified priority areas for the expansion of Resident Opportunity Services, the need for which became vital after the tragic passing of a long-time Voice resident in the Fall of 2019.

Read Full Announcement Here.

Voice Early Voting Guide

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With only 10 days until the 2020 Presidential Election, voting and voting early, has become increasingly important. Voting this year looks very different than in past elections, please find resources and information below about voting from now until November 3rd. 

Online Voter Registration has passed and I wasn’t able to register…can I still vote??

Yes! You have two options, you can either register to vote during Grace Period Registration, which is currently running until Election day, or on Election Day (November 3rd) at the polls. The Grace Period Registration takes place in person at the Clerk’s Office at 69 W WASHINGTON ST CHICAGO, IL 60602. You must bring two pieces of identification to register, one with a current address, and immediately cast your ballot after registering to vote- so research before and wear a mask! 

Dates, times, and more information on Grace Period Registration can be found here. 

If you would like to register on Election Day at the polls, you can only do so at your home precinct. You must bring two forms of identification, one containing your current address. You can find your voting location using this tool. 

Do I still have time to Mail-in my Ballot?
Will my vote be counted? 

Absolutely, but you also have other options! In Illinois, your mail-in ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (November 3rd) and be received 14 days after the election (November 17th). Information on how and where to send your ballot is included in the materials you should have received in the mail. Unfortunately, Illinois does not offer tracking of your ballot, so here are some other options for the ballot you received in the mail: 

  1. Fill out your ballot at home, wear a mask, and locate your nearest Secured Dropbox location, at every early voting site, to drop off safely in person until 7 pm on Election Day
  2. Wear a mask and bring your mail-in ballot with you to an in-person polling location, surrender to the election judge and vote in-person using the new ballot provided

Where and When can I vote early? 

Early voting is currently taking place in all 50 wards during these times, ward locations found here: 

  • Monday-Friday 8:30am – 7:00pm
  • Saturday-Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm


Election Day
November 3rd 6am – 7pm

For a comprehensive list of voting information, including polling locations, deadlines, and locating a drop box for your mail-in ballot, in Illinois please visit this link.