I take pride in serving those who need it most in our communities, approaching challenges from the ground up. By finding innovative solutions, I strive to bring affordable housing and meaningful community development to areas where these resources can be scarce. We as a civilization are only as strong as the weakest among us, which is why I have devoted my life to public service and the building of just cities by ensuring that everyone has access to the basic housing and strong communities that will allow them to flourish.

Billy Lyman advises developers, nonprofit organizations, and public housing authorities in a variety of affordable housing and community development projects nationwide.

Focusing on housing projects financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and a range of other state and federal funding sources, clients appreciate Billy’s calm and focused demeanor, especially during the most challenging closings. His ability to remain composed under pressure instills confidence and ensures smooth transactions from start to finish.

In pursuing a joint degree in law and urban planning at the University of Illinois, Billy immersed himself in the intersection of these two critically important fields, concentrating in affordable housing and community development for social justice, and discovering how the tools of each could be combined to reinforce neighborhoods and make cities work for all citizens.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • ABA Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, Member
  • American Planning Association, Member

Community Affiliations

  • The Children’s Heart Foundation, Member of National Board of Directors, Chair of Governance and Nominating Committee and Young Adult Advisory Council
  • University of Illinois Department of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Strategy Council, Co-Chair
  • University of Illinois College of Law Alumni-Student Mentoring Program, Mentor
  • The Alumni Society, Member
  • Iowa City FilmScene, Sustaining Member
  • Iowa City Englert Theatre, Member
  • Iowa City Bike Library, Volunteer
  • Iowa City Public Space One, Member
  • Little Village Magazine, Digital and Print Community Supporter
  • Raccoon Motel Davenport, Member
  • The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Election Protection Hotline Volunteer Lawyer
  • United Action for Youth SPARK! Outdoors Program, Volunteer Outdoors Guide

Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “LIHTC 101: The Basics of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits,” Virtual Training Hosted by Housing Action Illinois for All HAI Members and General Public – February 2023
  • Presenter, “LIHTC 101: The Basics of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits,” Housing Action Illinois's 35th Anniversary Housing Matters Conference in Bloomington, Illinois – October 2022

  • University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., cum laude
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.A., Urban Planning
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., Political Science and Spanish

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts (Pending Admission. Admitted in Illinois; currently being supervised by members of the Massachusetts Bar while my application for admission to the Massachusetts Bar is pending.)

I love exploring new places and meeting new people mostly through travel and getting outdoors, be it walking my dog, hiking, cycling, running, skiing, camping, kayaking, flying planes, volunteering on local youth trips anywhere outside, climbing, mountaineering (Colorado 14ers in progress), or even spelunking. The remainder of my time is spent playing tennis, photographing colorful sunrises and sunsets, nerding out to beautiful maps and architecture, seeing an indie film, or at a hole-in-the-wall music venue (probably seeing an indie band).

Photo of Billy Lyman and his dad at the top of Mt. Bierstadt.