|
The summit, which brought together community leaders and others
to discuss potential solutions and strategies, served as a
launch for next steps in the Home Illinois plan, a multi-year
approach the Pritzker administration said has a goal to reach
“functional zero” homelessness in the state.
The program has a taxpayer price tag of nearly $360 million this
year, an $85 million increase over last year. The largest
portion is $118 million and will go to support unhoused
populations seeking shelter and services, including $40 million
in the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program.
Other expenditures include $37 million to create more than 460
non-congregate shelter units, $30 million for court-based rental
assistance and over $21 million for homelessness prevention
services.
“This is a first-of-its-kind multi-agency endeavor, bringing
together state agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and
people with lived experience to take an intergovernmental
approach to preventing and ending homelessness,” Pritzker said.
The Home Illinois plan is led by Illinois’ first-ever Chief
Homelessness Officer Christine Haley. Haley didn't provide
comment when reached.
Bob Palmer, policy director for Housing Action Illinois, said
although the goal is to eliminate homelessness in the state,
that is unrealistic.
“So we will need additional resources in future years both from
the state government and the federal government to continue to
make progress,” Palmer told The Center Square.
Investments in this area have not always worked out elsewhere.
Despite devoting billions of tax dollars to fight homelessness
over the past four fiscal years, California Gov. Gavin Newsom
admits the state is losing the battle with the number of
homeless people only growing.
Encampments of homeless people have grown in cities across
California, with some opting to brave uncertain conditions in
the camps rather than surrender possessions to go into shelters
with greater structure and rules.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
|
|
