By Sam Paler-Ponce, interim associate director of policy  On Monday, April 22, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court began oral arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass, a case deciding if cities have the right to penalize people experiencing homelessness for sleeping outdoors.  Listen to the oral argument by clicking here. The City of Grants Pass argues the city is just following the trend of most other cities, as many cities across the country are already arresting and fining people experiencing homelessness. However, Grants Pass has taken the most extreme posture: there is nowhere, at no time ..read more

Sharing and building power is how we address homelessness in Chicago. In 2017, a group of CCH’s grassroots leaders with lived experience of homelessness first developed the idea of what became Bring Chicago Home. Since that first day, we have collectively fought for the revenue we need to provide the permanent housing and services the people experiencing homelessness in Chicago need.  We spent years building a broad coalition made up of people with lived experience of homelessness, union members, faith leaders, social service providers, community organizations, and grassroots volunteers ..read more

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: Want to help win Bring Chicago Home on March 19? Here’s how to vote if you are experiencing homelessness  appeared first on Chicago Coalition for the Homeless ..read more

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is mindful of the state’s budget constraints and Governor Pritzker’s focus on putting the state in good economic standing. With the cost of housing and other essentials rising, the state has a responsibility to prioritize the needs of the unhoused.   We laud the Governor’s continued commitment to the Home Illinois initiative, which addresses homelessness through a holistic approach, and understand there are several pipeline pathways needed to support people to maintain stable housing. This initiative is helping Illinois make progress in our effort ..read more

CCH grassroots leaders and their families pose with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Carla Johnson, a CCH Board Member and grassroots leader, hugs Ald. Hadden while presenting her award. Attorneys with CCH, Porter Wright, and the ACLU of Illinois pose with Julie Campos and her son, Miguel. Northern Illinois Community Organizer Alex Shapiro honors CCH grassroots leaders for their advocacy over the past year. Leaders Myron Byrd, Bianca Hardy, and Carla Johnson with Mayor Johnson. Community members and elected officials watch the celebration. More than 100 community leaders, elected officials, and coal ..read more

Information updated as of 1/8/24 Renters/Homeowners Renters’ Rights Evictions: The Cook County sheriff is not allowed to carry out an eviction on any day when extreme cold weather conditions could endanger your health and welfare, regardless of temperature. Minimum Temperatures: The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that between September 15 and June 1, landlords must provide heat to apartments where occupants do not have individual control of the unit’s heating. Temperatures must be above 68°F from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and at least 66°F from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. for most or all of t ..read more

Information updated as of 12/14/23 Renters/Homeowners Renters’ Rights Evictions: A Cook County eviction moratorium is in place from Dec. 18, 2023 through Jan. 2, 2024. Beyond those dates, the Cook County sheriff is not allowed to carry out an eviction on any day when extreme cold weather conditions could endanger your health and welfare, regardless of temperature. Minimum Temperatures: The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that between September 15 and June 1, landlords must provide heat to apartments where occupants do not have individual control of the unit’s heating. Temperatures must b ..read more

CCH’s Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg talks to WGN-9 about reasons homelessness is up to record levels, nationally and in Chicago. A new HUD report shows the country’s level of homelessness is up 12% from last year. The post WGN: Report Shows Homelessness Reaches a Record Level appeared first on Chicago Coalition for the Homeless ..read more

The staff and volunteers of CCH are overwhelmed with gratitude for the enthusiastic support offered this past Giving Tuesday. Over 500 generous people contributed to CCH during this annual celebration of giving.    CCH is grateful to longtime supporters Robert Pasin & Muriel Quinn, Revolution Brewing, and Metropolitan Capital Bank for donating a collective $42,500 in matching funds.   John Carruthers, Director of Communications for Revolution Brewing, had this reflection on Giving Tuesday: “This year has opened a lot of eyes on how many of our neighbors go without ..read more

CCH is deeply saddened as we mourn the loss of Brady Harden Jr., a long-time member of our Board of Directors and a tireless advocate for underserved communities.   Brady served as the President/CEO of Inner Voice for over 18 years, an impressive tenure in which he oversaw the expansion of shelter services from just one facility to eight.    It was this dedication and strategic foresight that caught the attention of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who appointed Brady to the role of Statewide Housing Coordinator for Long Term Care Reform.  Brady attended the bill signing c ..read more