The Northwest Side of Chicago has NO emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Please sign and share this petition to support this need identified by members of the local homeless community.

The closest emergency shelter for adult individuals, who are homeless, is 8.2 miles away in Uptown, and it is consistently full.  In fact, the entire Chicago emergency shelter system is unfailingly full. 

In the month of December 2021, there have been 106 emergency shelter requests submitted via 311 for Northwest Side zip codes 60630, 60631, 60634, 60641, 60646, and 60656 (note this does not include O'Hare Airport).

Out of 106 service requests for shelter called into Chi311, in December 2021, only three (3) service requests were marked "clients placed in shelter" - so only 3% of all individuals who call for an emergency shelter bed on the Northwest side of Chicago actually received one. This is unacceptable and dangerous as we are entering winter weather advisory season in Chicago.

This month, we connected with individuals who waited 3 to 4 days for a shelter bed before giving up.  Persons without phones had their 311 service requests canceled because they could not be reached, telephonically.  We also learned that medically complex older adults and persons living with a disability are not prioritized in our current emergency shelter system.  

The Chicago Emergency Shelter system is completely overwhelmed and unable to keep up with service requests for shelter beds.  On the Northwest Side of Chicago, NO emergency shelter even exist.  Let's change that.

We have learned through direct experience with working with Northwest side  homeless individuals, if they are not in an emergency shelter program or a large encampment, they are NOT fast tracked into the city's "Accelerated Moving Event" (rapid housing) program via the Coordinated Entry System. 

We need an Emergency Shelter with Homeless/Housing Case Management on the Northwest Side of Chicago.  Please sign and share. 

Thank you!