YEAR 1 GOALS — 2026

Building a Strong Foundation for Housing Justice in Chicago

Pro Se Assistant enters 2026 with a clear, ambitious, and achievable set of goals designed to strengthen our mission, expand our visibility, and empower Chicago renters to fight for their rights.

Below are our official Year 1 organizational goals:

1️⃣ Provide Pro Se Services to Project VIDA Members

As part of our fiscal sponsorship partnership, Pro Se Assistant will prioritize workshops, resources, and renter education tools for Project VIDA participants. This includes discrimination prevention trainings, Pro Se filing workshops, and one-on-one educational support.

2️⃣ Launch CTA Awareness Ads (Train & Bus)

Our goal is to secure funding to run educational “Know Your Housing Rights” ads across CTA trains and buses.
These ads will:

• increase public awareness of discrimination protections
  
  

• direct renters to ProSeAssistant.org
  
  

• highlight voucher holder rights
  
  

• encourage renters to document and report violations
  
  

3️⃣ Grow the Pro Se Assistant TikTok to 1,000 Members

TikTok will be our primary short-form education channel.
Goals include:

• daily “Know Your Rights” micro-lessons
  
  

• on-camera breakdowns of discrimination patterns
  
  

• renter empowerment stories
  
  

• behind-the-scenes of Pro Se Assistant workshops
  
  

• Chicago housing myth-busting
  
  

• documenting the rise of renter activism
  
  

Reaching our first 1,000 members establishes our community and credibility.

4️⃣ Live Stream a Major Public Trial Under the Pro Se Assistant Banner

To increase public understanding of the court system, we will livestream a publicly accessible civil trial (where recording is legally allowed — such as federal livestreams, appellate arguments, or cases with open media access).

The goal is to:

• demystify the court process
  
  

• show renters what real litigation looks like
  
  

• bring public attention to systemic housing issues
  
  

• promote broader civic education
  
  

5️⃣ Speak at Chicago City Hall About Our Mission

Pro Se Assistant aims to present before the Chicago City Council or a relevant committee to introduce our mission, share community data on discrimination, and advocate for reforms that protect vulnerable renters.

We will work with partners, community members, and Project VIDA to elevate the voices of renters and marginalized groups.

⭐ These goals reflect our mission:

Empowering Chicago renters to defend their rights — through education, documentation, and community action.

NEW PAGE: Chicago Housing Legislative Goals

Building a Fairer, Safer, More Equitable Housing System for Everyone

Pro Se Assistant advocates for a Chicago where housing is not a privilege, but a fundamental requirement for human dignity and community stability.
The following legislative priorities reflect the needs of renters across the city and aim to address inequities rooted in historic discrimination, modern screening abuses, and structural barriers.

1️⃣ Housing as a Human Right (Citywide Statement)

Chicago should adopt a formal public statement affirming:

Clean, safe, stable housing is a right for all Chicago residents — regardless of race, income, background, or household type.

This statement supports:

• future policy development
  
  

• grant funding for renter protection programs
  
  

• long-term commitments to housing equality
  
  

2️⃣ Rent Caps Based on Objective Unit Standards

We propose a rent structure that prevents predatory pricing by tying rent caps to measurable, transparent factors:

• square footage / livable space
  
  

• amenities offered
  
  

• building maintenance level
  
  

• utility coverage
  
  

• neighborhood affordability
  
  

Rent cap exemptions may apply for buildings that meet diversity and equity benchmarks, such as:

• inclusive racial mix
  
  

• income-integrated housing
  
  

• protections for voucher holders
  
  

• building-wide no-discrimination certification
  
  

This system reduces price gouging while encouraging inclusive communities.

3️⃣ Income Protection Reform for High-Earning Professionals

Under this proposal:

• Doctors, lawyers, and high-income professionals should not be eligible for low-income housing programs after five consecutive years of earnings above the threshold.
  
  

• Buildings must carry delinquent rent insurance that covers one year of missed rent per unit.
  
  

• The City may subsidize these insurance premiums only if the building meets diversity requirements or sets aside units for integration programs.
  
  

This approach balances tenant protection with responsible owner risk management.

4️⃣ All Application Fees Must Be Refundable

Chicago renters currently lose millions each year to non-refundable application fees.

We propose:

• full refunds if the applicant is denied
  
  

• full refunds if the landlord does not process the application
  
  

• full refunds if the applicant withdraws within 48 hours
  
  

• clear city-wide limits on screening costs
  
  

Refundable fees increase fairness and reduce predatory practices.

5️⃣ Empty Unit Tax (Anti-Vacancy Measure)

To combat artificially withheld housing supply:

• Units left empty for more than 90 days without renovation, active repair, or documented hardship should incur a vacancy tax.
  
  

This encourages landlords to keep units habitable and available, preventing neighborhoods from being destabilized by investor-owned empties.

6️⃣ Charitable Placement Program for New Developments

For new residential developments, buildings must choose a City-approved charitable organization to place qualified community members into select units.

Rules:

• Organizations must subsidize rent for these units
  
  

• Developers receive tax credits in exchange
  
  

• Units remain protected from discrimination
  
  

• Placements prioritize marginalized households
  
  

• Helps meet inclusionary housing goals
  
  

This creates a pipeline between community nonprofits and new, modern housing.