WBEZ – How Thursday’s Chicago City Council was a big moment for progressives

By Mariah WoelfelTessa Weinberg, September 14, 2023

Organizers in black shirts with the yellow slogan “Bring Chicago Home” across the chest have long shown up in droves to City Council meetings, led by multiple mayors at this point, to advocate for their proposal.

If passed, the ordinance introduced Thursday would prompt a citywide referendum next March asking voters whether the city should increase the transfer tax when properties valued over $1 million are sold, and decrease for lesser valued properties. If voters gave it the go-ahead, the revenue would create a dedicated stream to fund homeless prevention services.

Continue reading WBEZ – How Thursday’s Chicago City Council was a big moment for progressives

Chicago Tribune – Mayor Brandon Johnson-backed plan to fight Chicago homelessness by hiking taxes on high-end property sales takes a step forward

By Alice Yin and Lizzie Kane, September 14, 2023

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has counted 68,440 people experiencing homelessness in 2021, an increase of nearly 3,000 people from the previous year, according to the group’s most recent estimates. The research shows shifts in the way people experienced homelessness, noting 7,985 more people were staying on the street or in shelters as opposed to those temporarily staying with others, compared with 2020 data.

Continue reading Chicago Tribune – Mayor Brandon Johnson-backed plan to fight Chicago homelessness by hiking taxes on high-end property sales takes a step forward

Student Homelessness, Family Law and Public Benefits for Immigrant families during and Post Pandemic MCLE

September 26th, 2023 12-1 p.m.

The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will be hosting a FREE virtual legal rights Training on September 26, 2023, from 12-1 p.m. We will be discussing student homelessness, family law, and public benefits for immigrant families: during and post the pandemic.

MCLE Event Form

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Required for Attorneys to receive MCLE credit.
Please let us know if there are any ways to make this event more accessible to you.

WBEZ Chicago – Here’s what we know about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to set up migrant ‘base camps’

By Mariah WoelfelTessa Weinberg, September 14, 2023

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless said the plan raised questions and concerns, including whether new arrivals will be given the option to go to a traditional shelter, plans for connecting people to permanent housing and services and whether people will have restrictions on coming and going from the winterized tents.

“Solutions being proposed now to support new arrivals are only temporary,” the statement read. “These resources will run out, and Chicago will be in a worse position than when it started.”

Continue reading WBEZ Chicago – Here’s what we know about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to set up migrant ‘base camps’

Chicago Tribune – Willie Wilson: Why aren’t officials prioritizing unhoused Chicagoans in the same way they are asylum-seekers?

By Willie Wilson, September 7, 2023

What about the burgeoning homeless and affordable housing crisis? More than 200,000 families are on Chicago Housing Authority waiting lists, according to the CHA’s fiscal year 2023 report. The wait for public housing can take six months to 25 years. The Section 8 waitlist is currently closed. The CHA says the city has not received a major increase in vouchers over the last 30 years.

Continue reading Chicago Tribune – Willie Wilson: Why aren’t officials prioritizing unhoused Chicagoans in the same way they are asylum-seekers?

La Raza – Más de 68,000 personas sin techo en Chicago luchan ante falta de vivienda

By  Belhú Sanabria, September 5, 2023

En su último reporte, la Coalición de Chicago para los Desamparados (CCH, por sus siglas en inglés) reveló que hay al menos 68,440 personas sin techo en Chicago, y de ellas el 82% son personas de color.

55,857 de las personas que viven sin techo en Chicago se identifican como negros, afroamericanos, asiáticos, isleños del Pacífico, indígenas americanos, nativos de Alaska, y multirraciales; 19,970 personas se identificaron como hispanos o latinos. Sólo 12.6% de las personas viviendo sin techo son blancos.

Continue reading La Raza – Más de 68,000 personas sin techo en Chicago luchan ante falta de vivienda

Digital Communications Intern

2023 – 2024 

Job Description

The Digital Communications intern will work closely with the Communications Director to further the mission of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) through equitable and inclusive use of digital media in many of its formats. From creating and writing content to connecting with BIPOC allies and influencers to grow the digital reach for CCH’s work. The role Is key to Informing audiences of who and what CCH is. 


About CCH

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a 43-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness – lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders within the homeless population to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values – collaboration, integrity, strategic action, compassion, and intersectionality. We recognize that homelessness is a problem that steps from systemic racism and that biases and prejudices are embedded in the fabric of society, and thus also permeate organizations like ours. CCH is committed to advancing racial equity in the workplace, through the work of our racial equity committee, and through the campaigns and initiatives we choose. 


Job Responsibilities

  • Content Creation 
    • Assist in compiling and drafting content including graphics and videos for CCH’s monthly enewsletter and social media platforms . 
    •  Ensures brand consistency across email and social platforms. 
  • Writing  
    • Marketing and Copywriting for social and email platforms. 
  •  Events + Actions  
    • Assist at in-person events with live streaming. 
    • Contribute to coverage of events through asset collection. 
    • Support in creating post event content. 
  • Media List Building 
    • Compile and organize CCH’s media list within social platforms for direct messaging for real-time-use.  
    • Research and find BIPOC-focused influencers and/or allies who focus on community, issue-driven list of community, locally focused allies with influence.  

Qualifications/Skills

  • Entry-level position, designed for a candidate who is dedicated and passionate about social and email platforms where storytelling is inclusive and equitable. 
  • Should be deadline driven and is interested in the dynamics of digital communications environment. 
  • Demonstrated copywriting and oral communication skills.  
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice and racial equity. 
  • Demonstrated interest in non-profit digital growth. 
  • A self-starter, working well in a collaborative setting. 
  • Experience with housing and homelessness issues preferred.  
  • Preferred: Proficiency in MS Office, WordPress, Social Platform Engagement and Reach and Email platforms for organizations. 

Compensation

Intern will receive a $1,250 stipend at the completion of each semester CCH works in hybrid setting; in-office and on-site hours along with remote (local) work.  

Internship Hours

16-20 hours/week, Fall 2023-Spring 2024 

Hybrid hours Include: In-Office availability on Mondays (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and In-person events as needed. Remote location is in the Chicagoland area.  

How to Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter (directed to Vanessa Alvarez) and 2-3 samples of social media and 2 enewsletters or something similar you created or worked on via coordination comscareers@chicagohomeless.org with the subject line: 2023-24 Digital Communications Internship Application.  Portfolio and URLS are accepted.  Deadline to apply is September 20, 2023.  

As of July 1, 2022, all employees should be up to date on vaccination series as indicated by the CDC.  The currently approved vaccines under this policy are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and boosters. No vaccine shall be designated unless and until it is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization.   Employees are in compliance with the vaccine mandate two weeks after receiving the last vaccination required to be up-to-date in the series.   Timing and dosage (one shot for Johnson & Johnson, two shots for Moderna with 28 days between shots, two shots for Pfizer with 21 days between shots and boosters as they become eligible).  
 
Prospective employees will be expected to comply with this policy within two months of accepting their offer of employment.   

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring.   

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other legally protected status.  

Chicago Tribune – An estimated 68,440 Chicagoans experienced homelessness in 2021, new report says

By Lizzie Kane, August 24, 2023

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Chicago increased between 2020 and 2021, according to a new estimate from Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The group finds that 68,440 people experienced homelessness in 2021, a 2,829 increase from the previous year, according to the coalition’s report published Thursday. The research shows shifts in the way people experienced homelessness, citing that 7,985 more people were staying on the street or in shelters as opposed to those temporarily staying with others compared with 2020 data.

Continue reading Chicago Tribune – An estimated 68,440 Chicagoans experienced homelessness in 2021, new report says

WBEZ – Chicago’s homeless living on streets and in shelters sharply increased in 2021

By Tessa Weinberg, August 24, 2023

An estimated 68,440 people were unhoused in Chicago in 2021 with a sharp jump in the number of people staying on the street or in shelters, according to a new report released Thursday by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The coalition’s analysis included data both of people on the street or in shelters and the number of people who are “doubled up” or temporarily staying with others.

Continue reading WBEZ – Chicago’s homeless living on streets and in shelters sharply increased in 2021

Next City – As Chicago Considers A ‘Mansion Tax,’ Evanston And LA Show Potential Paths Forward

By Alex Nitkin, August 23, 2023

If approved, Chicago would join cities like New York, Los Angeles and Evanston who’ve turned to the tax in recent years to pad their budgets — all to different effects.

Currently, all property buyers pay a flat 0.75% rate, regardless of the sale price. The Bring Chicago Home proposal, first pitched by housing advocates in 2018, would more than triple that one-time tax for properties over $1 million, including commercial properties. Proponents predict the tax could generate more than $160 million in annual revenue for the city to spend on homelessness and rehousing efforts.

Illinois law only allows municipalities to restructure their real estate transfer taxes if voters approve it in a binding referendum. The Chicago City Council still must approve the ballot measure before it reaches voters, and the language and specific tax rates they propose may change. But as currently written, Bring Chicago Home would charge a 2.65% tax on all property sales of more than $1 million.

Continue reading Next City – As Chicago Considers A ‘Mansion Tax,’ Evanston And LA Show Potential Paths Forward