COVID-19 | Housing Action Illinois

What Tomorrow Looks Like for PADS Lake County

admin — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:36:24 +0000

PADS Lake County, the primary emergency shelter serving Lake County, has been providing critical services for 50 years to people experiencing homelessness. The agency started simply as a hotline and has grown to offer a variety of programs with shelter being their main role in the community. For many individuals and families in a housing crisis, PADS is their first point of contact. The agency is often referred to as the “front door to the homeless services system.”

For decades, PADS Lake County provided shelter using a rotating church model, with beds and cots set up at different houses of worship on different nights of the week. This approach was upended in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic hit.

“Pre-pandemic, we would put seventy, eighty, ninety people in churches on a given night,” said Interim Executive Director Eric Foote. “When the pandemic hit, the churches shut down. They were gone for a couple of years and then we brought them back last season to a limited degree. We brought them back to an even greater degree this season. It’s been an awful lot for the agency to bear, but for the people with nowhere to stay, it’s been a blessing.”

Eric Foote, Interim Executive Director of PADS Lake County

In addition to churches, emergency federal funding through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act allowed PADS to provide shelter in local hotel rooms. Unfortunately, that funding is time-limited and already starting to dwindle. As they look to the future, PADS Lake County hopes to open a fixed site shelter where all their services could be headquartered.

This new facility would provide spaces for clients to meet with case managers with privacy and dignity, areas for food preparation, and spaces for children to learn and play safely. Having services under one roof will also cut down on travel from one location to another, a barrier and source of stress for many clients, especially in Lake County where public transportation is not widely available.

Places that help people that are experiencing homelessness are relying more and more on resource-intensive options like hotels,” Eric explained. “I think hotels are a great option; it’s wonderful to provide a more humane shelter opportunity for people. As necessary and helpful as the churches and their volunteers are, a hotel provides a lot of advantages a church cannot. In the church setting, people are routinely uprooted. Every six to twelve hours they’ve got to pack up and go somewhere else. Their situation is constantly shifting. It’s difficult to manage all that and when you add complicating factors like mental illness or substance use or a physical disability you’ve created an exceptionally challenging situation. It’s difficult to get your feet under you in that circumstance and hotels eliminate a lot of those concerns.

“However, hotels are also expensive to rent and do have some drawbacks, which is why we are focused on developing a fixed site shelter that PADS Lake County owns—a building that is dedicated to helping people in their most critical hour with a focus on helping them return quickly to a permanent housing solution.”

During the recently completed General Assembly, Eric participated in multiple meetings with Housing Action Illinois and his state legislators to talk about the need for increased funding to provide the amount and quality of shelter that best serves people experiencing homelessness in Lake County. “I really appreciate the energy from Housing Action Illinois and others that was put into talking to lawmakers and getting extra money from the state to maintain hotel programs and build things that are more permanent,” he said.

Foote also shared that 70–80% of PADS Lake County’s clientele in any given year are new to the shelter system, rather than people experiencing chronic homelessness. “People hit a scrape: they get kicked out, they have an eviction, or whatever it is that causes them to be homeless. They visit us. We catch them. We make sure they’ve at least got a roof and some food and then a helping hand to return to a housing option.”

Emergency shelter isn’t the only thing that PADS Lake County provides. Through their Day Resource Center, PADS provides an orientation to their shelter services, hygiene products, emergency food supplies, and case management. In the building PADS also has a diversion and prevention program to help individuals stay in their homes so they never need to enter the shelter system and, should they arrive, the agency has a small healthcare team to help with clients that have complicating medical factors.

Additionally, the agency provides outreach to people experiencing homelessness in the community and operates a supportive housing program serving twenty-five clients through a Housing First model. Housing First prioritizes access to permanent housing without any readiness requirements; the approach is client-centered, with respect for each person’s autonomy, is oriented towards recovery, provides individualized support services, and involves social and community integration.

Foote said that PADS is also hoping to recruit more volunteers, post-pandemic. “We’re seeing the same things a lot of other agencies are seeing—the volunteers have dropped off.” From supply drives and fundraising to making simple website updates or helping with meals, they have a wide range of volunteer opportunities available. You can find more information at the volunteer page on their website.

Federally Funded Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Kristin Ginger — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:14:46 +0000

Federally Funded Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Learn about other COVID-19 resources related to housing and homelessness »

Rental Assistance Available in Illinois

September 2024 Update:

We are no longer keeping this page up-to-date. If you need emergency rent assistance, please refer to the program requirements for the State of Illinois’ Court-Based Rent Assistance Program at https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap.

If you are at-risk of homelessness, you many qualify for the Homeless Prevention Program. More information at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30360. A list of Homeless Prevention providers is available at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=110583.

Visit EvictionHelpIllinois.org for free legal assistance. Cook County residents may also be eligible for legal assistance and other services through Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt.

January 2024 Update:

Visit EvictionHelpIllinois.org for free legal assistance. Cook County residents may also be eligible for legal assistance and other services through Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt.

Court-based rent assistance is still available for tenants and landlords with cases in eviction court. Background is available here.

Program details for court-based rent assistance for tenants and landlords outside Cook County are available here. Program now open »

In Cook County, tenants and landlords will be informed about the availability of court-based rent assistance during the eviction process.

For City of Chicago residents, the Department of Family and Support Services’ Rental Assistance Program (RAP) provides funding to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now, but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent. Program now open »

March 31, 2023 was the last day to apply for emergency rent assistance through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provider network. that have emergency rent assistance dollars available. The Illinois Rental Payment Program administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is also no longer accepting applications.

Other county level emergency rent assistance programs that used federal pandemic relief funding are generally closed. However, depending on the availability of funding from federal pandemic relief funding and/or other sources, some may reopen in the future. Get more info at the links below to see if other program are open.

We’ll keep this webpage up to date as best we can, but please check with your local government for the most up-to-date information.

State of Illinois Programs

- Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS): IllinoisRentalAssistance.org ceased operations with the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. A limted number of agencies still have emergency rent assistance through March 31, 2023. Learn more »
- Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP): Administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), this program is no longer accepting applications. The deadline for the last round was January 9, 2022. Learn more »
  - IHDA released a report on their 2021 distribution of emergency rental assistance funds through the ILRPP. Supported by more than $584 million in federal funding, ILRPP was one of the first statewide programs in the country to fully disburse 100% of available funds. This funding assisted 63,964 low-and extremely low-income Illinois renters to stay safe at home and avoid eviction during the pandemic.
  - Overall, since 2020, IHDA administered three rounds of emergency rental assistance that has provided nearly $1.02 billion in rental assistance to help 137,372 vulnerable households remain housed. Find out more in the 2022 Illinois Rental Payment Program Fact Book.
- LIHEAP & CSBG: Primarily using federal resources, the State’s of Illinois’ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the state budget funds programs for eligible Illinoisans seeking assistance to cover the costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities. Apply for assistance at HelpIllinoisFamilies.com »

In addition, the State of Illinois’ court-based emergency rent assistance program started on September 15, 2021, except for Cook County. The program is only open to tenants and landlords with a pending eviction case filed in court. The tenant initiates the application process. Cook County has their own court-based emergency rent assistance program, operated through Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt. People with eviciton cases in Cook County will receive information about how to apply. An Illinois Supreme Court order requires the court summons to have information about how to apply for court-based emergency rent assistance attached.

County and City of Chicago Programs

- Champaign County: The program closed on February 7, 2022. Learn more »
- City of Chicago:
  - The City of Chicago’s Department of Housing Program: Closed on December 18, 2021. Learn more »
  - The Department of Family and Support Services: The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) provides funding to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now, but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent. Program now open »
  - Funded through IDHS, All Chicago also had an online portal for people to apply for assistance. However, the program is currently closed. Learn more »
- Cook County (suburban residents only):
  - Cook County Local Rental Assistance Program: Closed on October 29, 2021. Learn More »
  - The Cook County court-based emergency rent assistance program is managed through Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt. There is not a public online application portal for this program. Tenants and landlords in eviction court will be referred to the program through the court system.
- DuPage County: Program in partnership with IHDA. Closed on January 9, 2022. Learn more »
- Kane County: Program in partnership with IHDA. Closed on January 9, 2022. However, a new Kate County program opened in early 2024 Program now open »
- Lake County: Closed on April 14, 2023. However, the program is recently reopened for landlords to start applications. Program now open »
- Madison County: On February 16, 2023, we were informed the program is closed, as funds are no longer available. Check for updates »
- McHenry County: The program is closed. Learn more »
- Will County: Program in partnership with IHDA. Closed on January 9, 2022. Learn more »
- Winnebago County: The program is closed. Learn more »
- St. Clair County: Program in partnership with IHDA. Closed on January 9, 2022. Learn more »

Free legal help for Illinois renters facing potential eviction and landlords not represented by a lawyer is available from evictionhelpillinois.org.

For the State of Illinois, Cook County and Chicago programs, chicookilrenthelp.org provided details on eligibility requirements and documents people needed in order to apply.

Please note that people can apply to both the state and local programs, but people cannot receive assistance to pay rent for the same month from two different sources.

Additional Resources for People At Risk of Homelessness

If you are need additional resources to help pay your rent, such as homelessness prevention funds, especially if you are risk of homelessness, please contact a homeless service provider through the coordinated entry network for your local Continuum of Care »

COVID-19 Housing Assistance from the American Rescue Plan

In March 2021, Congress voted to enact the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). The COVID-19 relief package includes almost $50 billion in essential housing and homelessness assistance, including including more than $27 billion for rental assistance, $10 billion for homeowner assistance, $5 billion for homelessness assistance, $4.5 billion for utility assistance, $100 million for housing counseling and $20 million for fair housing activities.

On March 11, the relief package was signed into law by President Biden.

Of this, more than $1.5 billion in direct funding to address pandemic-related housing needs is coming to Illinois, including more than $660 million in emergency rent assitance, almost $400 million in emergency mortgage assistance and more than $200 million in assistance for people experiencing homelessness. Illinois is also receiving more than 2,100 emergency housing vouchers.

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021

In December 2020, lawmakers passed a COVID-19 relief package that includes $25 billion for the Emergency Rental Assistance program to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The allocation for rental assistance programs in Illinois is $834,709,843.

COVID-19 Housing Assistance: CARES Act

In March 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, a $2 trillion direct spending bill to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, which provided $12 billion in housing and community development resources. Illinois communities were allocated $332.6 million for three HUD programs funded through the CARES Act:

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): $118,624,446
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): $212,110,193
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA): $1,822,667

ESG funds from the CARES Act are assisting sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness, as well as very low-income households (earning less than 50% of Area Median Income) at risk of homelessness. The funds can be used for eviction prevention assistance, including rapid rehousing, housing counseling, rental deposit assistance and other purposes.

HOPWA funds are being used for rental assistance and other services necessary to meet the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.

CDBG funds are being used for housing and community development activities that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income residents. Local recipients of CDBG funds can decide to spend a portion of their CARES Act allocation on housing.

Many Illinois communities committed a portion of their CDBG funds to support programs creating affordable housing and ending homelessness. These communities include Aurora, Chicago, Bloomington, Evanston, Normal, Rock Island, Springfield, Urbana, Waukegan, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.

In addition, using Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars from the CARES Act, the State of Illinois and at least two local governments (Chicago and Cook County) committed additional resources for rent and mortgage assistance. The State of Illinois, through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), committed more CRF resources for rent and mortgage assistance than any other state. The resulting Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA) programs disbursed more than $324,000,000 in past due rent and mortgage payments helping keep over 56,000 households safe and sheltered at home during the pandemic.

Research & Guidance on Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

U.S. Department of the Treasury: Emergency Rental Assistance Program: The federal rental assistance funds approved in December 2020 are being administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Their program webpage has numerous program resources, including a revised FAQ document, released in February 2021, addressing many of the flaws in previously released guidance. However, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) sent a subsequent letter to Treasury asking or additional improvements and clarifications. Hopefully, an updated FAQ will be released soon.
How to Establish and Improve Emergency Rental Assistance Programs: This May 2021 report from NLIHC and the National League of Cities shares principles and best practice programs.
Prioritization in Emergency Rental Assistance Programs: A Framework of Strategies, Policies, and Procedures to Better Serve Priority Populations: This April 2020 report from NLIHC and the Center for Law and Social Policy’s outlines how emergency rental assistance programs can incorporate strategies, policies, and procedures that embed equity and give priority to renters most impacted by COVID-19 and at greatest risk of housing instability. Read report »
Learning from Emergency Rental Assistance Programs: Lessons from Fifteen Case Studies (NLIHC, NYU Furman Center, Housing Initiative at Penn) examines 15 emergency rental assistance programs and how they evolved to better serve renters, especially the lowest-income and most marginalized renters. The report focuses on the key challenges programs administrators faced, the innovative strategies they used to address these challenges, and the lessons current and future program administrators can take away. Read report »
Advancing Racial Equity in Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (NLIHC, NYU Furman Center, Housing Initiative at Penn) discusses five general strategies for advancing racial equity, based on lessons learned from a survey of 220 emergency rental assistances and interviews with program administrators. The lessons include ensuring that funding allocations are based on jurisdictional need; targeting assistance to groups with more vulnerabilities, including prioritizing applications from certain populations or neighborhoods; investing in outreach, including partnering with trusted community organizations; simplifying applications and documentation requirements; and monitoring program processes and outcomes and making mid-course corrections. Read report »
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance: Analysis of a National Survey of Programs (NLIHC, NYU Furman Center, Housing Initiative at Penn) provides an analysis of key emergency rental assistance program design and implementation decisions from a national survey of over 200 program administrators. The report examines program decisions against several outcome metrics, including a ratio of actual number of applicants to expected number of applicants and funds obligated as a share of total program funds. Read report »

Learn about other COVID-19 resources related to housing and homelessness »

Springfield Lame Duck Wrap-Up: Progress on Black Caucus Agenda, Including Housing Issues

bobhail — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:25:06 +0000

The Illinois General Assembly convened in Springfield for a lame duck session from January 8–13. Most of the legislative activity focused on the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ agenda, which was focused on dismantling systemic racism.

Among the many important parts of the agenda that were passed, at least two directly impact housing and homelessness:

The Public Housing Access Bill creates standards for Illinois Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to use in the criminal background screening process, improving equity and access to affordable housing for individuals with criminal records. The bill limits PHAs from considering non-convictions, expunged or sealed records, and juvenile records; shortens look-back periods; and provides applicants with an opportunity to present mitigating circumstances before being denied because of their background.
This is an initiative of the Restoring Rights and Opportunities Coalition of Illinois (RROCI).
The Illinois Community Reinvestment Act (IL CRA) will help ensure that state-regulated financial institutions better meet the needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, including areas where there is a lack of access to banking and lending services. The IL CRA compliments the federal Community Reinvestment Act by providing oversight for state regulated financial institutions not covered by the federal CRA, including state charted banks, savings banks, credit unions and larger residential mortgage brokers. The IL CRA will improve access to credit for communities of color in urban and suburban areas, as well as for rural communities that often also feel the deficit of investment.
This is an initiative of the Woodstock Institute and Housing Action Illinois.

Both of these bills were included in the economic equity pillar of omnibus legislation championed by the Black Caucus, which successfully passed many of their priorities related to three of their four pillars: education, criminal justice, and economic equity. Different versions of the health care pillar passed in the House and Senate, so I unlike the other bills, those won’t go to Governor Pritzker for his consideration.

Our partners at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless wrote a concise wrap-up of some of the other good things that happened during lame duck session, including passage of:

The Pretrial Fairness Act, which reforms the criminal legal system for people awaiting trial and ends the use of money bond; and
The Predatory Loan Prevention Act, which implements a 36 percent interest rate cap on consumer loans, including payday and car title loans.

We were disappointed that a key initiative for Housing Action Illinois, the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act, did not pass during the lame duck session. The bill passed the House, with bipartisan support. However, the Senate did not act on the bill before they adjourned. Housing Action Illinois, Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, and our partners will keep working with Representative Delia Ramirez, Representative Lindsey LaPointe, Senator Robert Peters, Senator Ram Villivalam and our supporters in the House and Senate to pass the eviction sealing and other provisions of the legislation as soon as possible in 2021. Representative Ramirez released a statement to this end after the conclusion of the session.

Legislation that passed during the lame duck session will be sent to Governor JB Pritzker for his consideration. We encourage him to sign legislation regarding the provisions summarized above into law.

New Speaker of the House

While in session, the Illinois House of Representatives selected a new Speaker of the House, Representative Chris Welch. The outgoing Speaker, Mike Madigan, has held the position for nearly four decades. Representative Welch is the first Black legislator elected as Illinois Speaker of the House. Housing Action Illinois congratulates Speaker Welch and looks forward to working together.

Our thanks to our allies and supporters for your advocacy efforts during this whirlwind session!

Spotlight: Virtual Housing Counseling and Accessibility during COVID-19

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:52:54 +0000

When Wanda met Michael, he was staying at the Pacific Garden Mission shelter. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic meant he was doing an apartment search virtually, which was a challenge compounded by his disability. He wasn’t sure if he could trust that photos would line up with the reality of the homes he looked at, and he risked committing to a place that might not meet his needs. But he didn’t want to lose his housing voucher from the Chicago Housing Authority, which would expire if he didn’t use it. Vouchers are hard to come by—only 1 out of every 4 eligible households actually receives one, and wait lists can be years long.

Michael came to Access Living, whose mission is to support people with disabilities in a multitude of ways, including advocacy, peer support, independent living skills, and transition support. There, he met Wanda Lopez, who has been a housing counselor for over two decades and has worked with Access Living since 2017. She originally became a housing counselor because “[t]here was such a great need for the communities that we served to make sure low to moderate income families knew their rights & responsibilities in the areas of rental, pre-purchase & foreclosure counseling.” After 20 years in the industry, Wanda’s belief that education is integral to ending discriminatory housing policies has only grown stronger, which is why she is so proud to now be working with Access Living.

Access Living Building.

Wanda worked with Michael to support him in finding a home to rent and transitioning from the shelter to his own apartment. Together, they submitted documents and an application to the CHA (Chicago Housing Authority) for his voucher, and Wanda followed up to make sure that his briefing would be accessible. Thankfully, things worked out: both Michael and Wanda persevered, he was able to use his voucher, and now he is living in his own apartment for the first time in years.

COVID-19 makes the work of housing counselors like Wanda work more important than ever: clients are facing even more barriers as they search for affordable homes to rent or buy. Wanda is ready to help them as they navigate these challenges. “I am proud to work for an organization that not only advocates for the disabled community but more importantly we teach them to advocate for themselves as well,” she says.

PADS Lake County Extends Shelter Season to Meet Demand

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 22:47:54 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to funding from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to PADS Lake County. These funds supported the agency’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter.

On an average winter night, PADS Lake County sees about 80 people in need of its services. But today, the agency is housing 150 clients, which it moved to hotel rooms due to the pandemic. To date, PADS has connected more than 200 individuals and families with shelter services and anticipates that this number will continue to climb as the public health crisis continues.

The organization’s normal shelter season typically ends April 30, but PADS isn’t slowing down its operations this year.

To comply with the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, PADS moved those using its shelter services into hotels and began delivering food to guests there. During the pandemic, the agency continues to provide transportation, case management, prescription drugs, and other essential services.

PADS projected it would spend more than $180,000 on hotel rooms through May 31. It has added two additional staff members and increased hours for part-time staff, making them full time. Additional costs include supplies, food, transportation, and cleaning services.

Housing Action Illinois has subgranted $10,000 to PADS Lake County, thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. With the funding, PADS was able to provide 9,065 nights of shelter to 145 households during the months of May and June, and these numbers continue to grow. Although the stay-at-home order has lifted, PADS continues to provide hotel stays to families with children and anyone who is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

Members of the community have supported PADS Lake County during the pandemic by making donations and volunteering their time.

As part of its efforts, PADS hired an additional outreach case manager, who will engage with individuals in the community who are experiencing homelessness and are currently seeking shelter outdoors. While demand for services remains high, PADS is prioritizing several groups for overnight shelter, including people with chronic health conditions, families, those over age 65, and individuals staying in places not intended for habitation. Everyone entering a PADS facility will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, had been in PADS’ shelter for nine months when the pandemic began. PADS was able to offer him a hotel room to shelter in place. Because this alleviated the stress and time Michael spent navigating to different shelter sites each night, he could turn his attention to creating a housing plan with his case manager. Now he has successfully moved out of the shelter system and into his own apartment. PADS says his story is an example of how grant funding has helped its clients shed their worries about finding a place to sleep during the pandemic.

PADS Lake County’s shelter system is coordinated with fifteen area religious organizations. PADS provides case management and other supportive services, primarily at its Day Resource Center in Waukegan. Overall, the organization serves about 2,000 clients each year.

South Suburban PADS Provides Safe Place to Shelter During COVID-19

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 22:11:36 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to funding from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to South Suburban PADS. These funds supported the agency’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter.

Like many shelter providers, South Suburban PADS moved clients into hotels when the state’s shelter-in-place order was announced.

During the pandemic, PADS is housing 80 people in area hotels, where staff are providing food assistance and cleaning supplies. To help meet clients’ needs, a PADS case manager is living onsite full time. The agency is also housing clients in senior apartments while COVID-19 risk is high.

Providing emergency shelter in hotels is expensive. Between paying for rooms, supporting its clients sheltering in affordable housing, and staffing, PADS says supporting 100 people for 90 days will cost approximately $290,000, due to the costs of booking hotel rooms and providing adequate staffing.

“Our expenses have increased dramatically, but so has public support,” said Doug Kenshol, PADS’ Executive Director.

Thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois has subgranted $10,000 to South Suburban PADS. With the funding, PADS was able to pay for 143 nights of hotel shelter for eight households experiencing homelessness due to the pandemic.

“The shift to hotel shelter was very successful in keeping guests safe from COVID-19,” said Kenshol. “In July, we had an opportunity to test all of the hotel guests and none were positive for the virus.”

At the beginning of May, South Suburban PADS was providing meals and emergency shelter in hotel rooms for 80 people. In addition, the organization has also been delivering essential food and cleaning supplies—as well as rental assistance and other support—to 300 individuals who were formerly homeless but have gained affordable housing through one of the agency’s programs.

“The pandemic is not going away,” he said. “We will need to sustain our crisis response for at least twelve months.”

BEDS Plus Care Opens Second Shelter Facility to Meet Pandemic Needs

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 21:57:38 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to funding from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to BEDS Plus Care. These funds supported the agency’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter, short-term rental and mortgage assistance, and emergency food and supplies.

On March 16, BEDS Plus Care launched its COVID-19 Response Plan, which aims to protect its clients during the pandemic.

Since then, BEDS has placed 75 vulnerable individuals in area motels, including people over age 60, those with health conditions, and families. It asked its hundreds of shelter volunteers to remain at home, mustering staff to take over their work. BEDS’ two Daytime Support Centers have closed during the pandemic. Meanwhile, BEDS continued operating its consolidated homeless shelter—one of only two such facilities currently operating in Suburban Cook County. It also expanded operations around the clock.

As the pandemic continued, BEDS worked with Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn to open a second consolidated shelter site in July, specifically for people who don’t have housing after being released from the medical center’s care. Fifteen people are currently staying there. It is also partnering with Cook County to establish a South Suburban Respite and Service Center.

BEDS Plus Care’s case managers are meeting with clients to share information about the coronavirus and ensure they have essential supplies, including medications.

When new clients arrive to BEDS’ consolidated shelters, staff screen them for COVID-19 symptoms. Those who test positive are quarantined in temporary housing. Screening appears to be working—as of September 2020, none of BEDS’ staff or clients had contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, supportive housing residents are sheltering in place, and BEDS is delivering more than 4,000 meals each day, along with prescription medication and other supplies.

The people BEDS serves are more likely to contract infectious diseases, live with chronic illnesses, and have higher mortality rates than others, even when COVID-19 is not a factor. Because many shelter programs in Cook County have had to shut down during the pandemic, those experiencing homelessness often end up in area hospitals—an expensive alternative.

But housing clients in hotels is also pricey. Through the end of May, BEDS’ COVID-19-related costs exceeded $300,000.

Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to BEDS Plus—thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition—to support its work providing interim housing and emergency shelter, short-term rental and mortgage assistance, and emergency food and supplies during the pandemic. The funding helped BEDS provide emergency housing to 138 households, short-term rental and mortgage assistance to 30 households, and a total of 19,899 meals.

Changes made in response to the pandemic may change how BEDS operates long term. Director of Advancement Julie Daraska says operating the consolidated shelter twenty-four hours a day allowed for close, uninterrupted relationships between case managers and their clients. Case managers could build trust more quickly and help clients gather their documents more consistently than they could during office appointments. “The success of 24-hour shelter is something we plan to build into future shelter operations, in some capacity,” Daraska said. “It is good for clients.”

BEDS Plus began as an overnight homeless shelter program that rotated among churches in the La Grange area. In 2013, the organization adopted the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing First approach, leading to its work in Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, and Permanent Supportive Housing. In recent years, BEDS assumed management of a shelter network in near-South Suburban Cook County. It also opened its flagship Permanent Supportive Housing facility, acquired a second building and secured dozens of PSH units. As of the 2019 fiscal year, it has 1,192 clients—ten times the number it had before it adopted a Housing First approach.

Housing Forward Looks to Replace Temporary Solutions with Permanent Housing

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 20:35:12 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to Housing Forward. These funds support the agency’s work providing direct financial and utility assistance during the pandemic.

Because 42 percent of Housing Forward’s clients live with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, or behavioral health disorders, the agency knew the people it serves were at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Its clients often lack access to primary health care and rely on emergency room services for care.

Typically, Housing Forward’s rotating emergency shelters serve 70 overnight guests per night. CDC guidelines during the pandemic meant changing this approach. To protect individuals experiencing homelessness in the near-western Cook County suburbs, Housing Forward made the decision to pivot away from congregate shelter settings. On March 23, the Maywood-based agency shifted its clients into individual accommodations, providing emergency services at privately-owned apartments and motels in the area. One hundred and eighteen people were moved into these temporary accommodations. In addition, the agency is providing its shelter guests with emergency food assistance.

“Homelessness is something I’ve been dealing with since I was a kid—and mostly on my own since age 15. I’m almost 30 now and I’ve moved around to so many places I’ve lost track,” said one client, according to a Housing First Facebook post. “Sleeping in a real bed and having a safe place during this crazy coronavirus has been good. I like sweeping out my motel room and keeping it neat. Some of us here pitch in wherever we can to show that we appreciate the help.”

Thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois has subgranted $10,000 to Housing Forward to support its work providing direct financial and utility assistance during the pandemic. Financial assistance to clients provided for food, medication, transportation passes, rent arrears, moving and furniture costs, and quarters for laundry for those clients currently staying in temporary emergency motel accommodations. With the funds, Housing forward provided utility assistance to five households and direct financial assistance to 115 households.

Since its founding in 1992, Housing First has become the largest provider of scattered-site supportive housing in west suburban Cook County. In the 28 years since, its mission has expanded to address the root causes of homelessness through supportive services and housing.

Dove, Inc. Provides Emergency Housing as Demand Skyrockets

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 17:10:56 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $20,000 to Dove, Inc. These funds support the agency’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter, short-term rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and increased access to emergency food.

When the governor’s shelter-in-place order took effect in March, Dove, Inc.’s Domestic Violence program saw a slight decrease in calls at first. But several weeks later, demand skyrocketed.

“A victim of domestic violence faces many challenges; however, during these times with COVID-19, they are faced with even more barriers,” Program Director Teri Ducy said in a post on Dove’s Facebook page. “For those who are living at home with their abuser during these times, during the ‘stay at home, stay safe’ order, it’s not a safe option. For them, they are literally staying at home and trying to survive.”

Dove’s shelter continued operating, but to prioritize health and safety, the organization turned away visitors, canceled events, and stopped accepting donated items. The Decatur-based agency also operates a supportive housing program and suspended walk-in intake meetings, although it will still schedule in-person meetings when necessary.

Dove’s Homeward Bound program is the lead entity for the Macon County Continuum of Care and the Coordinated Entry point of contact for Macon County. During the pandemic, Homeward Bound has addressed emergency housing needs by providing motel vouchers and other services. The motel services were put in place following COVID-19-related closures of area shelters, along with adjusted hours for other service providers.

The Macon County Continuum of Care Governing Board convened and developed a plan of action to address needs during the public health crisis. The Coordinated Entry Outreach team sought out individuals who were unsheltered, conducted intakes in the field, temporarily housed people in the motel, and linked them with other services, including permanent housing. In addition, Homeward Bound provided every household with case management and follow-up services during their motel stay.

Homeward Bound also reached out to area landlords to secure potential housing units for rapid rehousing. As a result, many households only stayed in the hotel for a brief time. One such case involved a single mother and her four children. Dove was able to provide her with temporary shelter, case management, and relocation assistance. Although she was unemployed at the time, she sought assistance and has since gained full-time employment. She is now living in her new home. Her story is not an isolated event — the project has assisted with providing permanent housing for twenty-six households, with more opportunities pending.

Thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, Housing Action Illinois has been able to provide two $10,000 subgrants to Dove — one for May and June, and the second for July and August. The funds have supported Dove’s work providing interim housing and emergency shelter, short-term rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and increased access to emergency food during the pandemic.

The first subgrant helped Dove provide 2,101 nights of shelter to thirty-one households. Sixteen households received rental and mortgage assistance, and two families received utility assistance. The agency also served a total of 467 meals. Dove estimates that it will be able to assist 50 people with the second round of funding.

As it did before the pandemic, Dove’s Coordinated Entry Outreach team meets with homeless service providers each week to review housing options and plans for individuals who have been identified through local outreach efforts. They then work to link the individuals with housing options, which may take the form of emergency shelter or permanent housing. Dove assesses each person’s need, and the most vulnerable receive top priority.

The agency’s Domestic Violence program has also continued its 24-hour hotlines during the pandemic. As of June, it is allowing some in-person counseling. It has also resumed limited group services.

Dove is a coalition of religious organizations, volunteers, and advocates. Its mission is to work for justice, equality, and understanding among all people, through its efforts to counter social injustice and help clients meet their needs. It serves clients in Macon, Shelby, DeWitt, Piatt, and Moultrie Counties.

Project NOW Helps Families Affected by the Pandemic Pay Rent and Utilities

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 18:34:00 +0000

Learn more about how Illinois homeless service providers are adapting and serving during COVID-19 »

Thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, Housing Action Illinois subgranted $10,000 to Project NOW to support the agency’s work providing short-term rental and mortgage assistance, as well as utility assistance.

Project NOW is the Community Action Agency for Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island Counties, positioning it as the leader for rental and utility assistance. Founded in 1968, Project NOW’s mission is to strengthen communities by helping people help themselves and one another.

As the pandemic continues, Project NOW hopes to partner with other agencies to reach those in need in the community.

Thanks to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, Housing Action Illinois was able to subgrant $10,000 to Project NOW to help cover the cost of offering short-term rental and mortgage assistance and utility assistance.

Using the funding, Project NOW provided nine households with rental and mortgage assistance. In addition, the agency helped another nine households cover utility bills. The households served included children and individuals with disabilities, as well as eight people experiencing wage loss.

Individuals and families seeking this assistance can apply over the phone or at www.helpillinoisfamilies.com.