A year after settlement, CCH attorneys still work on ‘street sweeps’ case

By Diane O’Connell, Staff Attorney

Our Law Project staff and interns continue to monitor how the city of Chicago implements its policy regulating the seizure of personal property taken from homeless people who live on the street.CCH Logo

The policy was adopted in January 2015 after CCH, working with another legal aid group and private law firm, settled a case challenging the city’s practice of confiscating and destroying personal property. This included sleeping bags and medicine taken when the city ran “sweeps” of people who sleep on Lower Wacker Drive and under the Wilson Avenue viaduct at Lake Shore Drive.

Through the past year, the Law Project monitored approximately 20 street cleanings. Staff and interns also held 80 interviews with people who live on the street, including some follow-up interviews. This outreach and observation has raised significant concerns about the city’s compliance with its own policy.  Continue reading A year after settlement, CCH attorneys still work on ‘street sweeps’ case

Associate Board surpasses 2015 goal

By Claire Sloss, Assistant Development Director

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Associate Board members following their January 2016 monthly meeting

Many thanks to the Associate Board of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which surpassed its 2015 fundraising goal of $40,000.

Led by President Casey Wittekind and Vice President Ryan Cameron, the group raised $40,167 last year.

The Associate Board is a group of about 25 young professionals who volunteer to run special events and small benefits to support CCH’s mission.  Continue reading Associate Board surpasses 2015 goal

Good news: Lake County judge releases $36.4 million in escrowed funds to statewide rent subsidy program

CCH LogoBy Julie Dworkin, Policy Director

A Lake County judge ordered the release of $36.4 million in escrowed funds for rental subsidies Wednesday, after the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and other advocates convinced all parties to agree to the order.

Funds were frozen in escrow more than two years, threatening rent subsidies that help house 2,232 extremely low-income Illinois households, including 1,082 Chicago families. Qualifying households earn 30% or less than Area Median Income, or $22,800 for a family of four in metropolitan Chicago.

The Illinois Rental Housing Support Program was created in 2005, after a CCH housing campaign passed legislation to create a $10 fee on real estate recordings. Funds are distributed statewide, providing subsidies to landlords who rent to extremely low-income households.

Since then, $16 million to $25 million a year has been collected to fund rent subsidies to as many as 2,500 Illinois households.  Continue reading Good news: Lake County judge releases $36.4 million in escrowed funds to statewide rent subsidy program

CCH welcomes new Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg

January 4 – As we start the new year, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless welcomes its new executive director, Douglas Schenkelberg.

Doug Schenkelberg
Doug Schenkelberg

Doug succeeds Ed Shurna, who retired November 30 after 12 years as its executive director and almost 20 years at CCH.

“Doug has a passion and commitment to ending homelessness and brings outstanding leadership skills to the table. We are excited about the energy that he brings and look forward to him building upon the foundation that his predecessors have provided,” said CCH Board President Bernie Dyme.  Continue reading CCH welcomes new Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg

Study release: Due to state budget impasse, more than $107 million in dedicated funds for affordable housing are going unused

Without a State Budget the Affordable Housing Needs of More Than 172,000 People Will Be Needlessly Unmet

As the state budget impasse nears its six-month mark, the State of Illinois has accumulated $107.8 million in seven (7) dedicated funds to create affordable housing and end homelessness according to a report released today. However, these funds — such as the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund and federal HOME Investment Partners Program funds — cannot be spent without approval by the General Assembly and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.

These seven dedicated funds — state funds and one federal fund—have their own revenue sources and are separate and apart from General Revenue Funds (GRF) collected from income taxes and other revenue sources. Spending these dedicated funds would not increase the state budget deficit.  Continue reading Study release: Due to state budget impasse, more than $107 million in dedicated funds for affordable housing are going unused

Join us for a Homeless Memorial Day service, Monday, Dec. 21 at Old St. Pat’s Church

WHAT:

For the sixth year in a row, a coalition of Chicago-based homeless service providers and advocates will host a candlelight vigil and memorial service to honor Chicagoans who have died without a home.

We gather on the longest night of the year in the shadow of the Magnificent Mile to remember that homelessness is a human struggle. It is our hope that this memorial service will help build awareness of the plight that affects too many. Hundreds will join us for the vigil, which has become a solemn reminder of those who go without year-round.

Flowers for Dreams, a Chicago florist, has generously offered to donate mini-bouquets to 50 of the homeless women, children and men attending a pre-service dinner and the memorial.  Continue reading Join us for a Homeless Memorial Day service, Monday, Dec. 21 at Old St. Pat’s Church

Chase, CCH co-host holiday party for Prosser high school students

By Ali Heinen, Case Intake Coordinator

Twenty students from Prosser Career Academy and seven members of the CCH Education Committee arrived on the 57th floor of the Chase Tower and were surrounded by mesmerizing views of the city skyline. They were greeted by 18 JP Morgan Chase employees and eight CCH staffers, who joined them for a pizza lunch.

Students were selected by Patricia Scott, the registrar and Prosser’s liaison for Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS). The STLS program serves students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who live in homeless situations – 20,205 students were identified by the end of the 2014-15 school year.

Education Committee members and their children arrived at the party immediately after testifying to the Chicago Board of Education. They asked the Board to adopt a comprehensive, up-to-date CPS policy on the educational rights of homeless students. Parents and youth from our committee have testified five times in the past year about this issue, including the need to continue transportation services.  Continue reading Chase, CCH co-host holiday party for Prosser high school students

New state policy: Unaccompanied and homeless minors can apply for own public benefits without parental permission

By Graham Bowman, Youth Health Attorney

A new policy enacted by the state of Illinois clarifies that homeless and unaccompanied minors can apply for their own public benefits without parental permission.

Youth Futures attorneys at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless advocated for this policy, in collaboration with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

When a young person loses housing, s/he risks losing many benefits of the social safety net as well. Rules for programs such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and TANF (cash assistance) allow unaccompanied minors and older youth to obtain these basic benefits. Yet homeless youth are routinely turned away by caseworkers when they attempt to apply at public benefits offices. These benefits are critical to the well-being of youth who are often disconnected from other systems of support.  Continue reading New state policy: Unaccompanied and homeless minors can apply for own public benefits without parental permission

NAEHCY guest blog: U.S. Senate approves ‘Every Student Succeeds Act,’ goes to Pres. Obama for signing

Written by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, this blog article was first posted on NAEHCY’s website.

Our Law Project works with NAEHCY, advocating with members of the Illinois congressional delegation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) via the Every Student Succeeds Act.

BACKGROUND | EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The largest and most significant intervention for homeless children and youth is the public school system, which provides both basic services as well as the education that is necessary to avoid poverty as adults. The reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program and Title I Part A is an opportunity to make the law more effective by refining and improving key provisions, including identification, school stability, enrollment, and support for academic achievement.

Continue reading NAEHCY guest blog: U.S. Senate approves ‘Every Student Succeeds Act,’ goes to Pres. Obama for signing