We are thrilled to announce that the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC) has been awarded $15 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address youth homelessness. The funding was announced at a press conference at Covenant House Illinois, a youth service provider located on Chicago’s west side.

This funding, through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP, presents a historic opportunity to uplift and support young Chicagoans who have experienced homelessness. These funds will be made available after the Chicago CoC develops a comprehensive and strategic plan for ending youth homelessness.

This achievement was made possible through the active participation and input from the Youth Action Board (YAB) and other youth with lived experience of homelessness. During the application process, over 50 young individuals engaged in shaping our proposal, highlighting our commitment to youth-led and informed strategies. Moving forward, YAB – which has been guiding voice in the Chicago CoC since 2018 – will continue to play a pivotal role in the required planning process.

“This investment positions us to engage Chicago youth who are the unfortunate experts on experiencing homelessness,” said Carolyn Ross, President and CEO of All Chicago Making Homelessness History. “Their firsthand experiences are invaluable, and we look forward to the vision and insight they will bring to shaping our strategic plan.”

The funding was announced by HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Marion Mollegen McFadden, who stressed how impressive the Chicago application was. She emphasized the importance of “partnering with young people who have firsthand experience of homelessness to shape programs that work.”

Thank you to the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the Mayor’s Office, and all the youth service providers who contributed to the application. View the application narrative and HUD’s Press Release linked below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICAGO – As of May 2023, 100% of the Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), issued to Chicago last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have been leased. Through the EHVs, 1,170 families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness now have stable and secure housing.

In 2021 Chicago was awarded 1,165 EHVs, the country’s 6^th largest allocation of vouchers, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The utilization of the EHVs was a collaborative effort involving All Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and numerous homelessness service providers with the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC).

CHA worked with the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC), All Chicago, and other city agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure the EHVs were leased in conjunction with appropriate services.

“The successful utilization of these EHVs is largely due to the CoC’s quick action and partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority and All Chicago,” said Nicole Bahena, VP of Community Partnerships at All Chicago. “All Chicago coordinated referrals into EHVs and provided significant training, technical assistance, and coordination between CoC providers and CHA. In addition, Chicago Rents, a CoC program hosted by All Chicago, provided unity location services for those going into EHVs. Because of this system-level coordination, EHVs were being leased as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Watch CBS-2’s Story about EHV recipient Joe Ann Williams.

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago’s mission is to unite our community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of a home. All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.  

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced $5.6 billion in funding will go to 1,200 communities through more than 2,400 grants to States, urban counties, insular areas, DC, Puerto Rico, and local organizations across the country. These annual formula grants provide critical funding for a wide range of activities including affordable housing, community development, and homeless assistance. View a complete list of all the communities who received funding.

“Viable communities must promote integrated approaches to develop decent housing, suitable living environments, and expand economic opportunities to the most vulnerable,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “These funds allow communities to address their unique needs by prioritizing what matters most to their residents and letting them own their investments in community development through these important federal resources.”

“This funding allows communities to address their most pressing local needs, providing flexible resources to build homes, support renters and homeowners, provide life-saving assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and improve public facilities, community resilience, and local economies,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden. “HUD’s annual formula block grants allow states and localities to invest in the success of neighborhoods and allow people of modest means to thrive.”

The grants announced today are provided through the following HUD programs:

• $3.3 billion to 1239 states and localities to build stronger communities — The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, counties, and insular areas to develop stronger, more resilient communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income people. In 2022 the program helped over 60,000 families through housing activities, 46,000 individuals through job creation or retention, 83,500 people experiencing homelessness through improvements to homelessness facilities, over 5.3 million people through public services, and over 39 million people through public improvements.
• $1.5 billion to 664 participating jurisdictions to produce affordable housing — The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the primary Federal tool of States and local governments to produce affordable rental and owner-occupied housing for low-income families. HOME funds a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME projects leverage non-federal funds including, in many cases, tax credits for affordable rental housing. In 2022 the program helped create over 15,000 units of housing and nearly 17,000 households were assisted with tenant based rental assistance through the HOME program.
• $499 million to 130 qualifying cities and eligible states to connect people with HIV/AIDS to housing and support — The Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program provides stable and permanent housing assistance and supportive services to low-income people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Over 100,000 households receive HOPWA housing assistance and/or supportive services annually.
• $290 million to 359 states and localities to address homelessness — Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters, and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs. Recipients enable people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. ESG funds may be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance. Annually, ESG connects over 350,000 people to emergency shelter as they transition to permanent housing
• $30 million to 23 States and the District of Columbia to support recovery from substance use disorder — The Recovery Housing Program (RHP) allows States and the District of Columbia to provide stable, transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder.

Combined the programs will provide critically needed funding to thousands of local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands.

###

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Fudge on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.

HUD COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets

Learn More About HUD’s Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity Work

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches – Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.   

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICAGO – In a press conference yesterday, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge announced that Chicago has been awarded $60 million over a three-year span to address unsheltered homelessness. Secretary Fudge joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot, All Chicago Making Homelessness History President & CEO Carolyn Ross, Lived Experience Commission Co-Chair Richard Rowe, and Chicago Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer Tracey Scott to highlight the Biden Administration’s commitment to addressing homelessness.  

HUD awarded $315 million in Special Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Competition Awards in 46 communities across the U.S. Chicago’s award of $60 million was the largest single grant. 

“This funding is transformational. It will allow us to expand our services, improve our system-level coordination, and move more people into housing,” said Carolyn Ross. “We will be able to develop more robust outreach teams with immediate access to housing, and we will offer more supportive services for our clients once they are in housing.”  

The Chicago Continuum of Care is using these resources to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce unsheltered homelessness that strengthens homeless outreach, provides rapid access to permanent housing and supportive services. The city’s plan also leverages health, behavioral health, and supportive services from partner organizations, as well as housing resources administered by the Chicago Housing Authority. 

All Chicago and the Chicago Continuum of Care worked closely with people with lived experience of homelessness to determine the most effective ways to enhance and expand services for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. “Chicago wrote an amazing proposal. By far, one of the very best we’ve ever seen to express the need that exists here,” said Secretary Fudge.  

This additional support will help approximately 300 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness move into housing each year. The funds will support new housing opportunities to the homeless response system: over 700 units of permanent supportive housing (non-time limited subsidies with intensive case management and support services), and over 50 units of rapid rehousing (time limited subsidies with case management and support services. The grant will help lay the groundwork for continued success.  

Click here to see more information about the award announcement.  

Click here to view the full press conference.

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches – Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.   

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICAGO – The Chicago Continuum of Care announced today that the Expedited Housing Initiative, a program begun in 2020 to rehouse individuals and families at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now served more than 1800 households. 

The Expedited Housing Initiative (EHI) is a collaborative effort involving the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), All Chicago Making Homelessness History, and the Chicago Continuum of Care and its partner organizations.  

The EHI was initiated in response to the pandemic, which made housing-insecure populations more vulnerable than ever. Many people experiencing homelessness are considered high risk for COVID-19 exposure and need access to immediate housing.  

“This milestone emphasizes the power of collaboration and a holistic approach. The EHI has brought together partners from both the public sectors and nonprofit sectors, as well as landlords and individuals with lived experience to examine all aspects of our systems,” said Brandie Knazze, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services and co-chair of the Continuum of Care. “But it all leads to the same goal: solving homelessness through housing.” 

The program uses federal funding to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness to quickly obtain housing. This funding provides financial and support services to ensure success. The initiative focuses on community engagement, collaboration, and accountability to streamline the housing process and enact lasting change.  

By leveraging an unprecedented reduction of barriers and a $35 million in federal CARES Act funding, the EHI has improved system wide efforts and housed more people faster than ever before. It takes 66 days for an EHI client to move into their rental unit. 

“This began as a response to a crisis, when we asked what we could do to streamline processes to keep people at risk of or facing homelessness safe from Covid-19. It has evolved into a staging ground for innovation. The 1800 households we have been able to serve demonstrate what is possible when we foster bold new approaches,” said Ken Burnett, co-chair of the Continuum of Care Board of Directors. 

The initiative has developed new approaches, including Accelerated Moving Events (AMEs), one-day events allow groups to complete several steps of the housing process at once. At AMEs, participants can view photos of available units, complete applications with onsite assistance, and select furniture. 

By connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing and services, they have a platform from which they can address other areas that may have contributed to their homelessness — such as employment, health, and substance abuse. 

“I knew I needed a big change in my life, and so I’ve been working hard to get clean and make a living. Thanks to my new place, all of that is so much easier,” said Eric Freeman, recently housed through the EHI. “This is maybe the most gratifying experience of my life right now.” 

The EHI brings together an array of service providers. Participating organizations include: A Safe Haven Foundation, Apna Ghar, Catholic Charities, Center for Housing and Health, Deborah’s Place, Facing Forward, Featherfist, Housing Opportunities for Women, Inner Voice, Kan Win, La Casa Norte, Metropolitan Family Services, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Renaissance Social Services, Sarah’s Circle, TASC, The Boulevard, The Night Ministry, Unity Parenting, Volunteers of America, and WINGS.  

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICAGO – All Chicago Making Homelessness announced that the City of Chicago is leading the nation‘s large cities‘ public housing authorities in utilizing Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  

The City of Chicago was awarded 1,165 Emergency Housing Vouchers, the country‘s 6^th largest allocation of vouchers. As of November 1, Chicago has utilized approximately 79% of the awarded vouchers, compared to the national average rate of 52%. The utilization of the EHVs was a collaborative effort involving All Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and numerous homelessness service providers within the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC).  

The Emergency Housing Voucher program is the first-ever special-purpose voucher program within HUD to address homelessness that is not specific to veterans. Through the program, HUD awarded 70,000 housing choice vouchers to local public housing authorities to assist individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or who are recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.  

“The successful utilization of these EHVs is largely due to the CoC’s quick action and partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority and All Chicago,” states Nicole Bahena, VP of Community Partnerships at All Chicago. “All Chicago coordinated referrals into EHVs and provided significant training, technical assistance, and coordination between CoC providers and CHA. In addition, Chicago Rents, a CoC program hosted by All Chicago, provided unit location services for those going into EHVs. Because of this system-level coordination, Chicago is leading the country in EHV utilization.” 

Learn more about the EHV program and access the EHV dashboard at: www.hud.gov/ehv.  

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago’s mission is to unite our community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of a home. All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.  

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

Breakfast with All Chicago

Wednesday, October 7, 2020
9:00 am
VIRTUAL

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first virtual Breakfast with All Chicago!

If you missed the live event on October 7th, you can still view the recording over on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/d1PJaFiuKck

Follow along with our Virtual Program Booklet!

If you would like to support the Breakfast, you can make your donation here.

---

Mayor Lightfoot to Deliver Special Remarks on October 7th

We are thrilled to announce that Mayor Lori Lightfoot will join the lineup of speakers at Breakfast with All Chicago in just two weeks. On Wednesday, October 7th, Mayor Lightfoot will deliver special remarks about the work being done in Chicago and announce a new initiative to reduce homelessness in the city. Join us to hear about her administration’s priorities. You won’t want to miss it!

About Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Lori E. Lightfoot is the 56th Mayor of Chicago. Since assuming office following her historic election, Mayor Lightfoot has undertaken an ambitious agenda of expanding opportunity and inclusive economic growth across Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities, with early accomplishments including landmark ethics and good governance reforms, worker protection legislation, and closing a record $838 million budget gap, as well as key investments in education, public safety and financial stability. Mayor Lightfoot also placed Chicago on the path to a $15 minimum wage by 2021.

---

Help us honor our two award winners who are making a difference ending homelessness in Chicago:

Peter Vilim
Norman H. Stone Award

Chicago Homelessness and Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE)
System Impact Award

---

Breakfast with All Chicago is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Lisa Stone Pritzker Family

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Friend Sponsors

Supporter Sponsors

*Sponsorships are available starting at $1,000 and provide a variety of benefits. Contact Melissa Anson at manson@allchicago.org or 312-379-0301 ext. 127 for more information.