Resources and Reminders for Counselors and Helpers of the Homeless
Info for Social Workers and Others Who Help the Unroofed
Thank you for looking into the information below meant to help you as you try to assist the disenfranchised persons out there—in Chicago and beyond—who seek food, shelter, safety, work, friends, and a future.
There are a variety of important resources for professionals and street counselors, researchers and professors all of whom are assisting homeless persons either with immediate needs or with longer-term goals such as stable housing and employment.
One such resource is the Monday afternoon (usually) meeting nationwide of the organization called the “National Low Income Housing Coalition.” They host a variety of speakers and discuss getting persons housed and other goals. It is free to sign up for their chats and free to get their info. Membership in this policy-level and grant-awareness group is encouraged! (https://nlihc.org/webinars-events).
Another important resource is the “Community Solutions” network of success stories, agendas, planning, and information on what works. They have information on the “Built for Zero” movement of over 100 communities trying to stamp out homelessness (https://community.solutions/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Partnership%20power&utm_content=Partnership%20power+CID_3031ab66a08dedbda8e97af6e77e60d5&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Community%20Solutions).
The nationwide organization involved in a wide range of data keeping and info sharing is the National Coalition for the Homeless. They state “Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights protected.” Their website is: (https://nationalhomeless.org/).
The local Chicago-level of that group is: The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Here are their phone number and website info: (https://www.chicagohomeless.org/).
The Night Ministry is an important emergency contact, and their vans and trucks go around the city on a set schedule to provide a wide range of resources. They focus on services at night, obviously. In addition to contact info for many agencies and pantries, they provide goods and food connected to the season. In winter, they provide hot soup and coffee. They may also have items like snacks, socks, and info on medical needs and services, including a nurse traveling with the group. Here is their phone and contact information: (312) 641-4140 (https://www.thenightministry.org/).
Veterans who are unroofed must contact the Veterans Administration and there are many advantages to doing so, indeed. There is special funding for homeless Vets available. Contact info for Vets in Chicago: 2122 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612, Phone: (312) 980-4470.
In Chicago, persons seeking housing immediately need to contact 311 on their phone and find shelters near them.
Contact with 311—and similar entry-door groups—is necessary before approaching the main citywide organization called “All Chicago” tasked with finding longer-term housing for the unroofed Chicagoans. Here is their info: (https://allchicago.org/about/contact-us/) and the phone number is: (312) 379-0301.
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) maintains a wait list for low-income buildings and senior buildings. Persons seeking housing who are homeless meet one of the priorities. Here is the contact and info for the CHA: (https://www.thecha.org/)
Note: Persons wishing to live in a senior building must be 55 years of age. Being 65 is an additional priority for persons wishing specifically for senior building acceptance.
Homeless persons within the city may approach ANY food pantry or soup kitchen in Chicago and here is the way to locate the closest one: (https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/#googtrans(en|en))
The above are just a few of the resources available to unkeyed persons seeking food, shelter, and other items and information. There are several networks out there—just asking around is a great way to find out what and where.
One example is churches. Another is Catholic Charities. Yet another is the Salvation Army. All such entities either have their own processes for sharing food and clothing and housing—or they can tell you who does.
Thank you for attempting to help the unroofed persons in Chicago. Just as in many other large cities, we face the difficult task of finding housing for persons who face a variety of challenges—such as poverty—as they try to get what they need. In these very wealthy cities, with high rents and high salaries and high hopes, it is overwhelming sometimes for the poor people to find a safe place to live.
Helping the disenfranchised and dehumanized people out there is an honorable and important endeavor. We at StreetSense salute you for taking on such a big challenge when others do little to help.
Thank you again for your hard work!