INFOGRAPH: Chicago’s Efforts To Help Unhoused Residents
There is believed to be an estimated 80,000 residents in the Chicagoland area who are unhoused according to the Chicago Coalition of Homelessness. Starting in January of 2021, a count began to collect data to get a more accurate estimate on how many homeless residents there are.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ruthlessly strike Chicago, its effects have not just been medical but have had detrimental effects finically. On March 11, President Joe Biden signed off on a new COVID-19 relief package, American Rescue Plan, granting $50 billion in aid for essential housing needs and homeless assistance.
Additionally, in December of 2020, an Emergency Rental Assistance plan was implemented providing $25 billion in aid. The allocation in Illinois being, $834,709,84. The intent of this program is to assist households who have been affected by COVID-19 and are no longer able to pay their rent and utilities.
With the assistance of these programs, as well as, Chicago’s Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), Chicago is making good steps towards ending homelessness. Many of these services provide 24/7 care for emergency housing due to crisis or being unhoused. There are also programs that are offered during the daytime hours of Chicago. One of which is a DFSS funded program that has created 8 drop-in centers throughout the Chicagoland offering a safe and quiet place for unhoused residents. These drop-in centers also include shower facilities, laundry services, meals and other basic services.
