All people need a home. On any given night in Illinois in 2024, an estimated 25,832 people are experiencing homelessness. In addition, tens of thousands of Illinois families live doubled-up with family and friends.
This is not inevitable. Another Illinois is possible: an Illinois where no resident experiences homelessness, where Illinoisans can afford housing in their community, without fear of eviction and where, when a housing crisis occurs, safety net supports allow quick resolution.
Homelessness is not driven by individual shortcomings - it is driven by housing costs, and policy and systemic injustices. However, with equitable public policy, deep collaboration across agencies, centering people with lived expertise, and sustained investment, we are working toward a future where every Illinoisan has a stable place to call home.
The Home Illinois Plan
Home Illinois, Illinois' Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, organizes and galvanizes the State of Illinois' work to prevent and end homelessness. Through both established and new innovative strategies, Illinois residents, community agencies and state government work together to prevent entries into shelter.
Learn More about Home Illinois Plan
History of Legislation
In September 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order 2021-21 establishing the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness, and the role of State Homelessness Chief. Building on this, in July 2023, Gov. Pritzker signed HB2831, codified as Public Act 103-0269, which made these entities permanent and required annual progress reports. Building on this structure, this effort was funded in the FY24 budget.
Reports
The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness writes or works with partners to develop reports to deepen understanding of opportunities to increase the housing security of Illinois. Below are several recent reports from OPEH or our partners:
