Plan to End Homelessness in Chicago

In 2003, Mayor Richard M. Daley endorsed a “10-Year Plan to End Homelessness” in
 Chicago. The plan called for ultimately replacing the current system 
that provides shelter to people on an emergency basis with a model to move individuals into permanent housing with support services.

CCH supported the 10-Year Plan, which was to end at the close of 2012. However, we believe that the city did not commit the necessary resources to see it through, including development of enough affordable housing. We have a long way to go — for instance, as a gauge of the impact on families, Chicago Public Schools served 15,580 homeless students in 2010-11, 46 percent more than three years ago.

Based on lessons learned, Mayor Emanuel’s administration asked advocates and providers to come up with a new strategic plan to address homelessness in Chicago for the next three to five years. CCH Policy Director Julie Dworkin was named to the Steering Committee of what is now called “Plan 2.0” Loyola University and the University of Chicago are completing an evaluation of the current 10-Year Plan that will give us data to work with as a new plan is crafted.

In November 2011, there were large public meetings to get feedback, one for service providers and one for consumers — that is, homeless and formerly homeless people. In January 2012 (Jan. 24-31), there was a week-long “charette,” or community input session, where the toughest issues were debated. CCH leaders and staff were active in testifying at these community sessions. A final plan will be unveiled by Mayor Emanuel’s administration in late spring 2012.

For more information, contact Policy Director Julie Dworkin at (312) 641-4140 or julie@chicagohomeless.org