Blog

By Julie Dworkin, Director of Policy

HUD released its annual Point-in-Time count today announcing that homelessness has increased nationally for the first time since 2010. Although Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) does not doubt that homelessness on the rise, we have always had serious concerns about the validity of the Point-in-Time count as an accurate reflection of trends in homelessness from year to year.

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty echoes these concerns in a report, also released today, “Don’t Count On It: How the HUD Point-In-Time Count Underestimates the Homelessness Crisis in America.” https://www.nlchp.org/documents/HUD-PIT-report2017 Among concerns cited in the report are the fact that one-night counts do not capture the transitory nature of homelessness, that people sleeping outside are often hidden from plain view, and that the Point-in-Time does not count people who are doubled-up with relatives or friends, or staying in jails or hospitals on the night of the count. Continue reading HUD releases new Point-in-Time count of homelessness

Many, many thanks for your generous support on Giving Tuesday, a global day of charitable giving held Nov. 28. This year, the Magnus Charitable Trust generously offered to match all donations made to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, dollar-for-dollar up to our goal of $10,000.

By day’s end we more than tripled that goal: 232 donors generously gave $34,668, including donations received through Facebook. An additional 22 donors gave $3,386 for Giving Tuesday in the hours before and after Nov. 28. One-third of our 254 donors gave a first-time gift to CCH. Continue reading Thank you for a successful Giving Tuesday!

Three bills to assist homeless youth — a CCH legislative package called Three Steps Home — have been enacted. All will take effect January 1, 2018.

Two measures were passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. They will allow minors to access transitional housing as well as obtain counseling without requiring the consent of a parent or guardian.

A third measure, the College Hunger bill, faced an amendatory veto by the governor and was in the process of being reintroduced. But the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) instead adopted a rule change in November that will allow low-income vocational students at community colleges to apply for SNAP food benefits.

State Legislative Director Niya Kelly spearheaded advocacy by CCH, including support from the 38-agencies on its Youth Committee. Services to homeless and at-risk youth have often been limited due to their young age and vulnerable circumstances. Continue reading CCH enacts ‘Three Steps Home’ legislative package for homeless and at-risk youth

CCH is proud to be an affiliate charity for the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7, 2018. We are recruiting our next Team to End Homelessness, offering a limited number of guaranteed entries to the race.

The Chicago Marathon’s team sign-up deadline is Thursday, Nov. 30.

Runners will be required to set a $1,000 minimum fundraising goal, to be raised online in conjunction with their race training.

Continue reading By Nov. 30: Join our Chicago Marathon ‘Team to End Homelessness’

Lawrence Wagner has joined the Law Project as a senior attorney, working with homeless individuals and families on housing and education litigation.

Inspired by CCH’s integrated model of addressing issues such as housing instability, he wanted to advocate for homeless individuals. Continue reading Lawrence Wagner joins the Law Project

By Mary Tarullo, Associate Director of Policy

Community leaders, board members, coalition partners, funders, donors, and staff of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless celebrated CCH victories tonight at a 2017 victory celebration at Chicago’s Grace Place.

CCH honored nine educators and political leaders crucial to making these accomplishments a reality. We also commended generous support from the Bridgeview Bank Group. Continue reading CCH honor educators, political leaders at 2017 victory celebration

Today marks the first year of StreetLight Chicago! This free mobile app for homeless youth is a joint project of the Young Invincibles and the Youth Futures legal aid clinic at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, with generous support from the VNA Foundation.

StreetLight Chicago offers a database of resources for homeless and unaccompanied youth. The app provides youth with a centralized list of drop-in centers, shelters, health clinics, food pantries and services, including Youth Futures. Occasional push notifications are issued via the app when weather or program advisories are needed. Continue reading StreetLight Chicago marks its 1st year: 1,214 downloads and a new desktop version

By Hannah Willage, Associate Director of Organizing

This week marks the end of my 10 years working for Chicago Coalition for the Homeless as I move on to work for Interfaith Youth Core.

I feel so grateful for the amazing people I have had the opportunity to work with during my time at CCH. The leaders and staff have had a great impact on me. Together we have been able to create change. We have learned together, grown together, and educated the community and people in power together. Continue reading Farewell to Associate Director of Organizing Hannah Willage

Chicago is known for its hospitality. Let’s make it a 4-star city for everyone.

Our gratitude to MARC USA for its pro bono work to create this video message.

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Launching Friday, a new integrated ad campaign seeks to create awareness and empathy for Chicagoans who cope with homelessness while living on the street.

Developed pro bono by marketing communications firm MARC USA, the integrated campaign plays on Chicago’s popular 4-star city flag. One of the best-known and most visible city flags in the country – found on businesses, front porches, T-shirts, and even tattoos – Chicago’s 4-star flag promotes the city’s capacity to offer a top quality of life.

The “4-Star City” campaign features 30- and 60-second videos running as broadcast and digital PSAs, with print and outdoor versions. Continue reading ‘4-Star City’ campaign calls attention to homelessness in Chicago