Housing Forward

Meet Misty - after facing extended hospitalization due to worsening medical conditions, Misty faced housing instability. Through MacNeal Hospital/Loyola she was connected to our Sojourner House Medical Respite Program where she found a safe, stable place to recuperate and work toward securing permanent housing. This summer, Misty moved to Broadview Legacy Apartments where she can continue building a stable and healthy life.       Misty’s story is just one example of how Housing Forward works to end homelessness for each individual we serve. If you are interested in helping to transition more people like Misty from housing crisis to housing stability, please consider supporting our work: https://lnkd.in/gJRs6jyE

The Village of Oak Park, acting as the fiscal agent for Housing Forward, has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for our work to update and improve the former Write Inn Hotel. For nearly four years, the Write Inn has been home to our Interim Housing and RISE Center Medical Respite Programs, and we are looking forward to investing in the property and making it a permanent home for these two programs. We are grateful to the Village of Oak Park for their continued support and guidance throughout this process and we look forward to what is to come. Read more about our work at 211 N. Oak Park Ave. in this week’s Wednesday Journal: https://lnkd.in/gHsdQcqa 

Hoyne Savings Bank is proud to partner with the Housing Forward Organization in the House to Home Kit Project! The House to Home Kit Project provides essentials to turn an individual or family’s new empty apartment into a home. Last week, our Loan Servicing Team delivered essential housewarming kits collected by all the staff at each of the branches, filled with practical comforts and heartfelt warmth, to a family starting a new chapter. Together, we're turning empty apartments into welcoming homes. See here for some pictures from the day.

We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that took place on Monday near the Forest Park Blue Line station, and we extend our condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed. This tragedy is a devastating reminder of the realities that people face when they do not have a safe place to sleep. This event underscores the urgent need for compassionate and effective solutions to address the root causes of homelessness. Today, we grieve with our community and renew our commitment to a future where every person is valued and safe. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gz-KFdHY

A lesson in effective local government management. In the last 60 days the Village of Oak Park has approved zoning for a new 36-unit permanent supportive housing development 🏭 AND a 40-bed fixed-site emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. From start to finish the process moved seamlessly from the Plan Commission (1 meeting each) to the board table (1 meeting each) 🎯. TWO approvals with no community opposition or dissention in less than 60 days (and the Board took a break in August). It’s jaw dropping. The Village worked lightning fast ⚡️ to get the job done for Housing Forward and our project partners saving us stress, delays, and money💰. Meeting local needs shouldn’t be paralyzed by prolonged processes and layers of approval, restrictive zoning laws and land use policies. Thank you Village Planner Craig Failor for your guidance through the Village’s efficient process and Village Manager Kevin Jackson for your continued support and leadership. Awesome work 👏🏼. #letsgetitdone #endinghomelessness

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been funding vital community programs, such as medical respite, since the pandemic. However, this funding will end in 2026. If you live in Cook County, please consider filling out Cook County Government's Community Voices Survey or attending one of the upcoming community events (listed below). This is our chance to advocate for the county to continue prioritizing housing after ARPA funding ends. Housing is included as an Economic Development and Health Equity issue in the survey. More here: https://lnkd.in/dXY2ZrKu

We believe that to have a meaningful, measurable, and transformative impact, our organization must partner with individuals and institutions who are committed to ending homelessness. Each year, we honor one such partner with our Ending Homelessness Award, and this year, we are proud to present the award to IL Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch! Since assuming office, Speaker Welch has been a passionate advocate for individuals and families facing homelessness and housing insecurity. He has championed various initiatives aimed at providing protection and resources for vulnerable populations, including the Bill of Rights for the Homeless more than 10 years ago. He has also supported important state investments in housing, including Housing Forward’s new permanent supportive housing development in Broadview. Speaker Welch’s unwavering commitment to this work underscores his dedication to addressing the root causes of homelessness and ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to safe and stable housing. Thank you Speaker Welch!

With your help, Housing Forward has been committed to ending homelessness and supporting our community since 1992. Over the years, we've expanded our services, launched new programs, and helped countless individuals and families find stability. Here’s a look at some of our milestones. We’re grateful for your ongoing support and can’t wait to share what’s next!

This week, we are celebrating our 32nd anniversary as an organization—thirty-two years dedicated to ending homelessness in the West suburban community. In 1992, we served 120 people. In the early years of our 'PADS' programming we were focused on responding to the symptoms of homelessness. Today, Housing Forward offers a comprehensive range of services— from prevention to response to stabilization— enabling us to transition more people from housing crises to housing stability. Over the past three decades, we've assisted more than 20,000 individuals and families, and we continue to do so every day, thanks to the support of our volunteers, donors, partners, employees, and community. We look forward to highlighting more moments, stories, and individuals throughout this week! #HousingForward #EndingHomelessness

In the winter of 2017, Chad was discharged from the hospital after being treated for congestive heart failure and he found himself with nowhere to go. His doctor recommended reaching out to Housing Forward, which began a three-year journey through emergency shelter, medical respite, and eventually to his own apartment in the community. This afternoon, Chad shared his story, while helping Gov. JB Pritzker announce the approval of the Healthcare Transformation 1115 waiver. This waiver will allow Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to expand Medicaid coverage to help address the root causes of health disparities, such as housing and food insecurity. With this expansion, Illinois is investing in equitable, effective, and people-centric healthcare. “Medical Respite exists because it improves patient outcomes, reduces hospital readmissions, and connects patients experiencing homelessness with ongoing primary care. This expansion will expedite and increase our ability to address the substantial and unmet health, service and housing needs for the unhoused community,” says Housing Forward CEO Lynda Schueler. You can read more about the 1115 waiver, from Gov. Pritzker's office here: https://lnkd.in/gsKHAngW