Have a question for our panelists? Submit it via Google Forms for the webinar. While we may not be able to answer every question, we'll do our best to address as many as possible during the discussion.
MODERATOR
Chris Martin
Director of Public Policy, Connections for the Homelessness
Chris leads Connections’ expansion into statewide housing and homelessness advocacy. Previously, he served as Policy Director at Housing California, where he helped shape and advance state legislative and administrative policies to expand affordable housing and end homelessness.
Chris has helped secure billions in state investments—including California’s first ongoing $1 billion annual homelessness funding commitment—and co-founded the Bring California Home coalition. He has advocated for affordable housing, homelessness, homeless veterans, and type one diabetes research at both the Michigan and Illinois’ state capitols, and on Capitol Hill. A native of Schaumburg, Illinois, Chris holds a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice from Michigan State University.
Sign up for our webinar, Advocacy in Action: The 2026 Illinois Legislative Wrap-Up
As Connections expands its state advocacy efforts, join us for a conversation with leaders in the fight for affordable housing in Illinois. Chris Martin, Connections’ Public Policy Director, and leaders from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Action Illinois, and Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) will break down the outcomes of the 2026 legislative session, including wins, setbacks, and lessons. They’ll also look ahead to whether housing legislation will advance in this fall’s upcoming veto session.
Whether you’re a longtime advocate or just looking to stay informed, this is an opportunity to hear directly from leaders working to advance affordable housing and homelessness solutions across our state.
🗓️Tuesday, July 14
2 PM-3 PM
via Zoom
Niya Kelly attended Loyola University Chicago, receiving her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Juris Doctorate degrees. Her work at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless focuses on the Illinois state budget, homeless education, public benefits, youth homelessness, and housing insecurity policies. She has written and advocated for pieces of legislation, including laws that provide new housing opportunities for minors experiencing homelessness; access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for community college students experiencing food insecurity; free birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness; an increase to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant for families; and changes to the child support system that ensures families receive all funds paid, and minors in need have greater access to increased to mental health services.
Niya is also a former adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she taught legislative advocacy.
PANELISTS
Niya Kelly
Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation with Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness
Bob Palmer
Policy Director with Housing Action Illinois
Bob has more than 30 years of experience in housing organizing, advocacy, training, and finance. He joined Housing Action in September 2002. He has been a leader on successful campaigns to create and fund a state rental subsidy program for extremely low-income households, secure money for affordable housing in Illinois’ capital budget for the first time, pass state legislation protecting homeowners and renters during the foreclosure process, and increase state funding to prevent and end homelessness. Recent wins include new rules and funding protecting children in Illinois from lead poisoning, state protections for homebuyers considering rent-to-own contracts, getting the state more than $300 million in federal funding for COVID-19-related emergency rent and mortgage assistance, and working with partners to pass statewide “source of income” fair housing protections.
Bob was on the board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition between 2013 and 2022. He holds a certificate in Urban Housing Development and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Beloit College.
Max leads statewide advocacy to expand access to supportive housing and strengthen Illinois’ homelessness response system. His work focuses on advancing policies that remove barriers to housing development, secure stable program funding, and center the voices of people with lived experience. Before joining SHPA, Max worked as a community organizer with Connections for the Homeless.
Max Seeley
Director of Government Affairs with Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA)