DFSS is committed to preventing homelessness whenever possible. Prevention services include short-term financial assistance for rent, utilities, arrears and other costs related to housing stability. In addition to financial assistance, households receive housing stability case management focused on budgeting and resolving issues that contributed to the initial housing crisis.

The Coordinated Entry System is designed to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to the service system, no matter where or when they present for services.

Chicago’s Plan 2.0 is a broad-ranging, seven-year action plan that identifies new strategies to improve access and opportunity for residents experiencing homelessness: prevention, housing-first and wraparound services.

El Programa de asistencia para el pago de alquiler (Rental Assistance Program, RAP) da fondos a los residentes de Chicago que están en riesgo de quedarse sin casa.

Operated by the Salvation Army, this new facility is designed to meet the needs of families as they await placement and serve as the hub access point under the coordinated entry system. Families at EHARC will receive diversion assessment and diversion services if appropriate.

DFSS’ Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) team and our delegate agencies work to engage unsheltered homeless residents living near railroad tracks, bridges, the Chicago River, viaducts and alleys, Chicago Parks and CTA train stations into services that will lead to housing or shelter.

The City of Chicago, Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) funds a network of community based shelters that support individuals who are in crisis and the chronically homeless.

The MCRSRP program provides 24/7 response to non, life-threatening requests for residents experiencing homelessness and crisis – including connecting clients to homeless shelters and wraparound services for behavioral health, substance abuse, domestic violence and more.

PIT is an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at one moment in time. Each year, data compiled during the PIT count are analyzed and help to inform areas of need and the allocation of resources for housing and services.

The Rapid Re-housing (RRH) program aims to rapidly transition individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to permanent housing, thus preventing subsequent shelter entrance and future instability.