2026 Genesis Garden | Housing Counseling Program Development

2026 Genesis Garden | Housing Counseling Program Development

The Housing Program Development VISTA will serve with Genesis Garden in Macomb, IL from September 2026-2027. Genesis Garden is part of the Housing Counseling Corps initiative of Housing Action Corps, an AmeriCorps VISTA program managed by Housing Action Illinois since 2010. Housing Counseling Corps members receive custom training, support, networking, and post-service employment opportunities in the housing counseling field, in addition to the traditional benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA. Learn more at housingactionil.org/americorps. Genesis Garden is committed to eradicating homelessness and enhancing housing accessibility in Macomb and western Illinois, a region with a 25% poverty rate and few housing services agencies. Our goal is to engage housing counseling as a tool to empower residents to make informed decisions and enhance their financial capacities to break the cycle of poverty. The Housing Counseling Program Development VISTA will play a pivotal role in helping us launch housing counseling services in Macomb before expanding into western IL. During a year of service, they will study for and gain HUD housing counseling certification to create curricula and other necessary systems for financial education, budgeting, credit counseling, and homeownership preparation educational sessions. Our ideal candidate takes initiative and demonstrates a strengths-based view of all people. They should be well-organized, eager to learn, and solution-oriented. This role is well-suited for those with an interest and long-term career goals in housing counseling and low-to-moderate income homeownership.

Member Duties: The lack of housing counseling services in western IL hits communities of color and single mothers especially hard; nearly half of single, female-led families in Macomb are living in poverty. Genesis Garden will use housing counseling to equip individuals with tools to stabilize housing, maximize the power of their income, and contribute to generational wealth building for communities in our region. By the end of their service, the Housing Counseling Program Development VISTA will help Genesis G. launch housing counseling services and become a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. The VISTA will identify strategies to finalize the Housing Counseling Agency Work Plan, prepare the office environment for counseling, implement a client management system, and apply to join an Intermediary. They will develop resources and partnerships to coordinate community workshops on housing-related topics, such as energy efficiency, financial literacy, tenant-landlord relationships, and home repairs.

Program Benefits: Training, Relocation Allowance, Childcare assistance if eligible, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage*, Living Allowance.* For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit americorpsvista.imglobal.com.

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

Service Areas: Community Outreach, Neighborhood Revitalization, Homelessness, Housing, Community and Economic Development.

Skills: Team Work, Social Services, Recruitment, Teaching/Tutoring, Community Organization, Writing/Editing, Communications, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Non-Profit Management.

SUMMARY

Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA Program

2026 Genesis Garden | Housing Counseling Program Development

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

Accepting Applications: From 05/01/2026 To 07/31/2026

Contact: VISTA Leader

307 E Carroll St

Macomb IL 61455

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housingactionil.org/americorps

Listing ID: 128971