Homeless Services & Supportive Housing

The Homeless Prevention Program is administered by The Office of Family Support Services, Bureau of Homeless Services & Supportive Housing.

The Bureau administers four programs that address the needs of homeless families and individuals by providing food, shelter and supportive services through local not-for-profit organizations. These programs ensure that people receive quality services through a "continuum of care," ranging from outreach to those in need, emergency and transitional housing and supportive services, to assistance in gaining self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

Services

  • The Emergency and Transitional Housing - gives immediate and comprehensive shelter services to homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless. Last year, over 49,000 persons were assisted through shelter programs consisting of overnight, transitional, and emergency shelters.
  • Emergency Food Program - is a Federal program administered by the Department of Human Services in Illinois, which makes food available to more than 650 pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters located throughout Illinois.
  • Homeless Prevention Program - is a program designed to stabilize families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that families stay in a shelter, and to assist families with securing affordable housing to prevent homelessness.
  • Supportive Housing Program - provides state funds for services coupled with permanent housing to homeless and formerly homeless individuals and families. Local governments, community organizations and not-for-profit agencies provide case management, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, mental health programs, education and training, transportation, child care and other services needed by residents of transitional facilities, single room occupancy facilities and family developments.