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.

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.

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.