Thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $20,000 to PADS of Elgin to support the agency’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, PADS of Elgin sheltered in place with their residents. No volunteers, donors, or others were allowed in the premises. Staff worked additional hours to meet their residents’ needs. To keep things as normal as possible during the lockdown, PADS held game tournaments and even an Easter Egg hunt.
Then PADS moved residents out of their shelter and into hotels to comply with the Kane County Health Department’s requirements. PADS continued to serve their residents with wellness checks and food deliveries, in addition to continued case management, transportation to medical visits, and housing services.
The hotel and additional services came with new costs. Providing services away from the shelter meant hiring additional staff and increasing staff hours. In addition to paying for hotel vouchers, PADS provided meals, protective masks, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and laundry services at the hotel. Providing protective gear for staff represented another cost.
Housing Action Illinois is helping to offset these increased costs with two $10,000 subgrants—one for May and June, and the second for July and August—thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund.
With the first subgrant, PADS was able to provide 154 nights of shelter to 22 households, including 10 children. Providing guests with hotel rooms allowed PADS to safely accept new intakes and serve more people. The organization anticipates serving 50 individuals with the second round of funding.
Administrative staff continue to conduct intakes over the phone, search for affordable housing, and serve those who need help.
