Listen to Maureen McKinney’s interview with CCH Policy Director Julie Dworkin.
Advocates and others gathered at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago today to draw attention to the budget impasse’s impact on services for homeless youth.
That comes on the heels of a report from several homeless-support agencies outlining problems created for them by the budget impasse. One hundred one homeless service providers responded to a survey this August, and 90 percent said they have already had to — or will have to — deny services to people who are homeless or at risk of being on the streets. They’ve had to turn away potential clients and cut services for those who can get help. There have been staff layoffs, furloughs and cuts of entire programs.
The report was produced by organizations including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Action Illinois and the Supportive Housing Providers Association.
According to the report, the state budget impasse is “putting people in a crisis that contributes to the homelessness: 41 percent of agencies have limited the intake of new clients and 39 percent have eliminated services for current clients.” Another 32 percent closed sites and 33 percent have eliminated programs.