HARC Lab

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY | DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Homelessness Resources

If you are currently experiencing homelessness

If you are seeking housing services, you need to get a housing assessment to be added to the housing priority list. If you have not yet received an assessment, please visit an “Access Point” location. 

Find more information and resources on the All Chicago  website.

If you are at-risk of losing your housing

Call 3-1-1 and ask for “short-term help” to reach the Homelessness Prevention Call Center.

Tenant Rights Legal Services

Find legal services for eviction prevention at these organizations.

If you are seeking shelter or basic needs resources

Call 3-1-1 and ask for “short-term help.”

Drop by or schedule an appointment at a Chicago DFSS Community Service Center.

Search HUD’s Find Shelter tool for shelter, food pantries, and clothing.

If you need to get out of the weather

Find the nearest warming center or cooling center by calling 3-1-1 or by visiting Chicago DFSS website.

Find research and information about homelessness and services.

Research Repositories

Get involved with Chicago homelessness and housing advocacy organizations.

“The hottest club in Chicago!”

Since 2015, Aleta Clark has provided meals and fundraising events for individuals experiencing homelessness across the Chicagoland area. Every night for 210 days out of the year, her team has gone out to various encampments to provide hot full course meals. During the winter months, she fundraises to obtain temporary shelter (e.g., hotels) for “The Friends” (I.e., individuals experiencing homelessness).

She encourages anyone to stop by and help pass out food, chat with the The Friends, and/or sponsor a meal for the night (~$130).

Instagram: @englewoodbarbie

CashApp: $Englewoodbarbie

Zelle: Hugsnoslugsinc@gmail.com

“ASE is a multicultural, interfaith coalition of churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations, all working together to address the challenges facing the neighborhoods of Southeast Chicago.”

Website

“Autonomous Tenants Union is an all-volunteer organization committed to organizing for housing justice from below and to the left. As an independent collective based in Chicago, we strategize together to defend and enforce our right to dignified housing. We believe that housing is a human right, not a commodity! We fight for an end to all evictions, and for community control of housing through the building of popular power.”

Website

“Bring Chicago Home is a grassroots movement of Chicagoans committed to creating a dedicated revenue stream to combat homelessness in Chicago.

The coalition aims to restructure the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), a one-time tax on properties when they are sold to create a substantial and legally dedicated revenue stream to provide permanent affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness.”

Website

“We are the only non-profit in Illinois dedicated to advocating for public policies that curb and can ultimately end homelessness. Our organization leads strategic campaigns, community outreach, and public policy initiatives that target the lack of affordable housing in metropolitan Chicago and across Illinois.”

Website

“The mission of the Chicago Housing Initiative (CHI) is to amplify the power of low-income Chicago residents to preserve, improve, and expand low-cost rental housing, stabilize communities facing displacement, and advance racial and economic equity and inclusion across all of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.”

Website

“Chicago Tenants Movement is a collaborative network of tenant organizations and housing organizers from across the city working to keep our neighbors in their homes and build tenant power for the long haul. We help renters build democratic tenant unions that act as mutual aid and solidarity networks between neighbors. These unions are our best defense against undignified living conditions, utility shut offs, rent hikes, and evictions.”

Website

“We are a grassroots campaign in the early stages of building a political union led by and for people on the front lines of poverty: people experiencing homelessness. Our work centers empowering, supporting, and organizing with people living in tent encampments, as well as folks in unstable/at-risk housing, and anyone experiencing homelessness at any level, taking a leading role in the movement to guarantee housing and decent living standards for all Americans.”

Instagram: @chicagohomelessunion

Twitter: CUH_housing4all

Venmo: @Chicago-HomelessUnion

CashApp: $ChicagoHomelessUnion

Linktree

“The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community unites the resources of member organizations and individual members to empower Chinese American communities in Greater Chicago.

As a coalition of member organizations and individuals, CBCAC carries out its mission through civic education, issue advocacy, communication with policy makers, and community mobilization.”

Website

“Formed in 2017, the Lift the Ban Coalition comprises grassroots community groups, political organizations, nonprofits, and unions in Chicago and across the state of Illinois. We are renters, homeowners, small landlords, workers, students, seniors, local elected officials, and faith leaders united in the struggle for housing justice. We are a multiracial, multigenerational coalition centering the needs of low-income and working-class families.

The Lift the Ban Coalition advocates for economic well-being and stability for Illinois’ families through repealing the Rent Control Preemption Act of 1997, and establishing rent control for Illinois residents.”

Twitter: @LTBCoalition

Instagram: @LifttheBan

Facebook: @LTBCoalition

Website

“ONE Northside is a mixed-income, multi-ethnic, intergenerational organization that unites our diverse communities. We build collective power to eliminate injustice through bold and innovative community organizing. We accomplish this through developing grassroots leaders and acting together to effect change.”

Website

“Palenque LSNA is a catalyst for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities and allies to take care of one another and take strategic action for systemic change and a just, resilient, and joyful future.”

Website

“Our mission is to create tangible solutions and mobilize residents and resources to restore our community.”

Website