Authority County Jackson | Counseling

Overview

The Housing Counseling VISTA will serve with the Housing Authority of the County of Jackson, Illinois (JCHA) in Murphysboro, IL from September 2026–2027. JCHA is part of the Housing Counseling Corps initiative of Housing Action Corps, an Ameri Corps 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 Ameri Corps VISTA.

JCHA is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing and fostering economic self-sufficiency among low-income families. In Jackson County, over 20% of residents live below the poverty line, and there is limited access to housing counseling services. The Housing Counseling VISTA will help JCHA address the critical need for housing stability in our region by coordinating the development of a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

They will design program infrastructure, create outreach strategies, and establish compliance frameworks for HUD certification that will allow JCHA to provide pre-purchase counseling, rental assistance education, and financial literacy resources to residents in southern Illinois.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about community resources and interested in pursuing the housing counseling field. Our ideal candidate demonstrates some knowledge of and enthusiasm for real estate development, housing counseling, home ownership, and financial literacy. Experience with grant writing, teaching, and curriculum development are a big plus! This position offers a $500 monthly housing & transportation stipend.

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Housing counseling is proven to improve financial literacy, reduce foreclosure rates, and increase long-term housing stability, but there are few housing counseling resources available in southern IL. By becoming a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, JCHA can better support residents in overcoming barriers to affordable housing, but we need a dedicated Housing Counseling VISTA to help us create an implementation plan and establish a sustainable infrastructure for delivering housing counseling services.

The VISTA will develop relationships with local organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and client referrals. They will conduct a community needs assessment to define key service priorities and inform the creation of an implementation plan that aligns with HUD certification requirements. Alongside passing the HUD housing counseling certification exam, they will write a program manual, develop an evaluation framework, and train staff.

• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Living Allowance
• $500 monthly housing & transportation stipend
• Training
• Health Coverage*
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Relocation Allowance
• Ameri Corps VISTA healthcare benefits (details at )

Permits attendance at school during off hours; car recommended; permits working at another job during off hours.

• Community Outreach
• Housing
• Community and Economic Development
• Education
• Homelessness

General Skills;
Team Work;
Social Services;
Business/Entrepreneur;
Non-Profit Management;
Teaching/Tutoring;
Counseling;
Fund raising/Grant Writing;
Community Organization;
Education;
Writing/Editing;
Communications;
Computers/Technology

Program Type:
Ameri Corps VISTA

Program: 2026 Housing Authority County Jackson | Housing Counseling

Program Start/End Date: 09/08/2026 - 09/07/2027

Work Schedule:

Full Time

Education level:
High school diploma/GED

Age Requirement:
Minimum: 18

Program Locations: ILLINOIS

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

Contact: VISTA Leader, 300 North 7th Street, Murphysboro IL 62966, , americorps, housingactionil.org/americorps

Listing