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By Allegra Codamon, CCH Media Intern

Her college internship ended, but Yaneth Aguilar still volunteers at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Working with community organizer Rachel Ramirez, Yaneth co-wrote a survey being used by CCH to determine how Chicago’s Latino community perceives what it is to be homeless. The survey also assesses awareness of services available to assist homeless families and students.

Yaneth, 25, explained the project in a recent interview at CCH’s Loop office. Her brightly colored shirt and dark hair stand out against the office’s cream-colored walls. Yaneth’s air is calm, confident, and sophisticated, despite the personal hardships she has faced.  Continue reading Yaneth Aguilar: Latino perceptions of homelessness

By Beth Malik

Associate Director of The Law Project and Youth Futures attorney

Twenty-eight homeless youths acquired needed legal identification documents in a one-day outreach program offered by our Law Project and Chase Bank’s legal department.

As part of the JPMorgan Chase Day of Service on July 23, CCH and Chase legal staffs hosted a Legal and Identification (ID) Clinic at the Center on Halsted in the Lakeview neighborhood. This comprehensive community center is dedicated to the health and well-being of Chicago’s LGBTQ community, including a youth program that helps young people experiencing housing instability.

Young people who become homeless often are forced to leave home without any ID documents, such as a birth certificate or Social Security card. Lack of identification presents a barrier to jobs and education. It is difficult to obtain a state ID card or driver’s license without these other forms of ID.  Continue reading Law Project and attorney volunteers assist 28 homeless youths at clinic

Horizons creative writing workshop presented its yearly poetry showcase at Chicago’s Intuit art gallery, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Shelter-based families who have written poetry and prose shared their work during the June 18 evening showcase. Many shared the first poetry they ever wrote, as well as reflections of their experiences with homelessness.

Participating were residents from A Safe Haven South and A Safe Haven West, both transitional shelters for families. Senior Community Organizer Wayne Richard led bi-weekly writing sessions with the parents since last fall.

Booklets were printed featuring some of the poetry, with artwork by students from the Art Therapy Student Association at the Adler Institute. Other work is featured online in our Horizons Reading Room.  Continue reading Horizons showcases poetry by shelter residents

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled to uphold a law that provides housing subsidies for thousands of low-income families across Illinois.

The Illinois Rental Housing Support Program was created in 2005 when CCH’s statewide housing campaign passed legislation creating a $10 charge on real estate recordings. The funding is distributed throughout the state and provides subsidies to landlords who rent to extremely low-income tenants who earn 30% or less of area median income.

Yearly revenues of $16 million to $25 million have been collected since then. The funds provide rent subsidies to about 2,500 households statewide.

In May 2011, a law firm filed a lawsuit in Lake County alleging that the fee being collected was unconstitutional on several counts. CCH and other advocates worked to amend the law, but the law was still struck down in September 2013. All funds for the program have been held in escrow since that time as the case was appealed.  Continue reading Illinois Supreme Court has ruled in total victory for rental housing program

By Jimmy Lacy, Media Volunteer

Photos by BULB Photography

A candlelight service Thursday remembered 31 Chicagoans who died this past year without a home.

“This homeless memorial is to recognize all of the folks whose lives touched other lives and who have passed away, and to remember who they were to us and what they meant to society,” said Wayne Richard, a senior community organizer at CCH who helps plan the annual service.  Continue reading Chicago service remembers 31 women and men at Homeless Persons Memorial

November 18: The Chicago Housing Authority Board has voted to pilot a program to allow select ex-offenders to access public housing.

The Reentry Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) proposed the program, and has worked two years to persuade local housing authorities to pilot it. Meanwhile, the pilot was adopted in August by the Housing Authority of Cook County, which oversees public housing in 135 Chicago suburbs.  Continue reading Chicago Housing Authority Board to pilot select ex-offender access housing