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As winter approaches, Chicago’s homeless will once again be subjected to the city’s infamous cold weather. The looming presence of COVID-19 only complicates this, as the health and economic woes of the pandemic continue to affect society’s most vulnerable. Unfortunately, when it comes down to helping the homeless, Chicago has limited sources. The city is approximately 120,000 units short of affordable housing than it needs.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot included the record funding to supply house assistance to the homeless people in the 2022 budget. This will be one of the most significant investments in the city’s history, providing for the homeless. It includes federal funding from the American Rescue Plan.
Cities like Chicago will be back facing issues mostly on their own because the COVID-19 stimulus program will not last long. Once the American Rescue Plan funding runs out, its loss will considerably impact the Chicago homeless because there will be fewer resources, and they will have to depend on the local organizations to help.
The Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) CEO on the North Side of Chicago stated that their organization provides clothes, internet, counseling, interim, and permanent housing for people who go through homelessness.
Lydia Stazen of the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH) organization explains that providing for the homeless during the winter is crucial; they must have more resources.
Ever since COVID hit the city, it impacted their ability to provide training and support for the homeless, says Stazen. But, even though these organizations do various things, the goal remains the same for both parties to end homelessness in Chicago.
Written by Travon Smith
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Source:
The DePaulia News: Chicago homelessness services gear up for winter; by Erik Uebelacker
Featured and Top Image Courtesy Of Daniel Moskowitz Flicker Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy Of Randy von Liski Flicker Page – Creative Commons License