Supportive housing is one of the most effective tools we have for keeping individuals and families stable, healthy, and connected to their communities.
It is also a core part of our statewide human services system. That is why the recent HUD Continuum of Care NOFO has raised so many concerns across the human service sector in Illinois. The proposed changes would significantly reduce funding for permanent supportive housing at a time when the need is growing, not shrinking.
Across Illinois, our 19 Continuums of Care support close to 26,000 people. These are children, adults with disabilities, survivors of violence, older adults, and families who rely on a combination of housing and services to stay safely housed. Most CoC funding in our state supports permanent supportive housing, and those dollars provide stability for both residents and the nonprofits that serve them. They also contribute directly to local economies through rental payments and creating jobs in our communities.
The changes outlined in the new NOFO would disrupt this foundation. They would create funding gaps, shorten planning timelines, and shift priorities in ways that could push thousands of people out of the housing that currently keeps them safe. The result would be increased strain on emergency systems, higher long-term costs for communities, and unnecessary instability for families who are already navigating significant challenges.
Stable housing is directly tied to health, education, employment, and overall well-being. When people lose that stability, everything else becomes harder. The concerns raised by Illinois stakeholders reflect this simple truth: Supportive housing is not an optional program. It is a pillar of community health.
As leaders within the Health and Human Service Coalition of Illinois, we see every day how interconnected our systems are. A housing first model is essential to helping all Illinoisans reach their full potential. This proposed NOFO, along with recent interruptions to SNAP and the possibility of future cuts to Medicaid and other core programs, threatens the human services infrastructure that has taken years to build.
We urge the Illinois General Assembly to protect supportive housing and other vital programs, and support new and sustainable revenue streams to fund the vital services that help our communities thrive.
Take action:
- Read the joint letter, led by Housing Action Illinois and Thresholds, to HUD and signed by nearly 300 Illinois organizations opposing new NOFO
- Read Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness’ statement
- Send a message to congress in opposition of this NOFO through the National Alliance to End Homelessness Action Alert
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