2026 Housing Forward | Housing Action Corps | WRAP Research

The WRAP Research & Training VISTA will serve with Housing Forward in Oak Park, IL from September 2026-2027. Housing Forward is part of Housing Action Corps, an AmeriCorps VISTA program managed by Housing Action Illinois since 2010. Housing Action Corps members receive custom training, support, and networking opportunities in housing and community development, in addition to the traditional benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA. Learn more: housingactionil.org/americorps. Housing Forward is a leading organization assisting individuals and families in west suburban Cook County who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Our mission is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. The WRAP Research and Training VISTA will be an integral member of the Wraparound Services Team (WRAP), which collaborates with case managers to provide clients with specialized services and a continuity of care across program areas from a client's entry and until a permanent destination is found. This VISTA project will strengthen the agency’s service integration model by creating new tools and processes that will expand services, track progress and measure outcomes across several functions, including HUD Housing Counseling, Employment Services, Benefits Coordination, and Behavioral Health. Our ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice and enjoy researching and documenting best practices to improve client outcomes. They will be capable of doing independent online research and synthesizing findings that can be used to develop program processes and training materials for staff. They will have a basic understanding, or willingness to learn, about homeless and community services. Candidates should demonstrate comfortability working across teams and the ability to develop processes for tracking progress toward goals.

Member Duties : Housing Forward has been a leader in providing evidence-based solutions to housing instability and homelessness for over 30 years. Our WRAP Team offers a variety of services tailored to address these issues, including behavioral health, financial literacy, employment assistance, access to benefits, and family support, but we need a focused VISTA to expand our resources and make our services more accessible to those in need. The WRAP Research and Training VISTA will create new tools and processes that will expand our WRAP program and measure outcomes of the various services. The VISTA will collaborate with the WRAP Director to plan for and update the agency’s application to become a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency. They will research and create educational materials related to employment, benefits, and behavioral health to meet client needs. They will also implement tracking tools to measure clients’ progress and support staff in providing follow-up interventions.

Program Benefits : Childcare assistance if eligible , Relocation Allowance , Health Coverage* , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Living Allowance , $500 Monthly Housing Stipend , Training .

Terms :
Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Service Areas :
Homelessness .

Skills :
Teaching/Tutoring , Social Services , Communications , Team Work , Computers/Technology , Writing/Editing , Counseling .

SUMMARY

Program Type:

AmeriCorps VISTA

Program

2026 Housing Forward | Housing Action Corps | WRAP Research

Program Start/End Date

09/08/2026 - 09/07/2027

Work Schedule

Full Time

Education level

High school diploma/GED

Age Requirement

Minimum: 18 Maximum: None

Program Locations

ILLINOIS Chicago

Accepting Applications

From 05/01/2026 To 07/31/2026

Contact

VISTA Leader

38 N Austin Blvd

Oak Park IL 60302

3129396074

[email protected]

housingactionil.org/americorps

Listing ID

129053