CCH is not a housing or shelter provider. Download CCH’s curated resource list or review the resources below to find people and agencies who can help.
Need Help?
Resources are available to help navigate homelessness and housing instability.
Emergency Resources
For Shelter Care and Other Chicago-Based Services: Call 311
Emergency Shelter & Assistance
Chicago
Call Chicago City Services at “311” or (312) 744-5000 to request placement in a shelter. Have your household names and size ready. Remember to record the request # provided by the operator.
If you call and do not get through to anyone, please try again, hitting “0” to reach an operator. This is the only way to reach an operator outside of regular hours of 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you are housed but concerned you may lose your housing , tell the operator you need “short-term help.”Callers will be transferred to a Homelessness Prevention Call Center .
Suburban Cook County
Call (877) 426-6515 for suburban Cook County’s Rental Assistance Call Center. The center handles calls related to rent, security deposits, utilities, and mortgage assistance. It is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
DuPage County
Call (630) 407-6500 or (800) 942-9412 to access DuPage County’s centralized intake and referral line from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) maintains a list of emergency and transitional housing providers and homeless prevention providers .
Coordinated Entry System/Housing Waitlist
Chicago
The Coordinated Entry System matches individuals and families facing homelessness to long-term housing.
Eligibility
- Adults or families living in a shelter, public place, outside, or fleeing domestic violence
- Youth (14-24) who are living in a shelter, outside, doubled-up, or fleeing domestic violence
Access:
Text 773-786-9916, call 312-361-1707, or visit www.csh.org/ChicagoCES for a list of Coordinated Entry assessment appointments or locations.
Public Benefits Access
Illinois
Public benefits are statewide assistance programs that help people access basic necessities. They include SNAP (nutrition/food assistance), TANF (cash grants for families), Medicaid (low-cost health coverage), WIC (nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children), and SSI (monthly payments to people with disabilities and little or no income).
Eligibility
- Individuals below the federal poverty level who are U.S. citizens or have children who are U.S. citizens
Access
- Apply online at www.abe.illinois.gov .
- The CCH Law Project can provide assistance with the application process or loss of benefits. Call 1 (800) 940-1119.
Ways CCH Can Help
Hover over each card to view description.
LAW PROJECT
Law Project
CCH’s Law Project provides free legal services to adults, youth, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. For assistance, call our toll-free helpline: 1 (800) 940-1119.
EDRIKA FULFORD MUTUAL AID FUND
Edrika Fulford Mutual Aid Fund
Our low-barrier mutual aid fund addresses the short-term needs of Illinois individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This biannual $500 cash grant program opens in the fall and winter. Once applications have been reviewed, recipients are chosen by lottery.
STREETLIGHT CHICAGO
Streetlight Chicago
Streetlight Chicago is a free app and website with up-to-date resources for young people experiencing housing instability. We provide information on accessing shelters, drop-in centers, health care, food, and much more.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
College Scholarships
CCH’s college scholarship program provides renewable awards of $4,000 to graduating high school seniors who succeeded in school while experiencing homelessness. Students from Chicago and suburban schools are eligible to apply as well as CCH youth leaders and former youth legal clients.
