Chicago's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness is Already Successful

According to a City of Chicago press release, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, along with homeless advocates, has provided a progress report on the City's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Chicago.

Mayor Daley said in the report, "In short, our plan is working. We're making real progress in helping people find a way out of homelessness - and preventing them from becoming homeless in the first place. This is exactly what I envisioned when I endorsed Chicago's Plan to End Homelessness in 2003, because I knew we could do better for Chicagoans who find themselves homeless."

In January of this year, homelessness in Chicago was down by a record 12 percent from two years ago. To track the percentages of homelessness, the City is counting people on the street, vacancy rates in homeless shelters, and counting the number of individuals who use Chicago homeless services.

Daley also said, "Our progress is measured not only in numbers, but also through the personal stories of the many Chicagoans we have been able to help: families who have moved out of shelters into apartments of their own; individuals who have come in out of the cold for the first time in years."

Last year, Chicago helped a total of 7,145 single-family households from being forced to live on the streets and use homeless services. In 2007, over 3,000 households have been helped.

Of the City's homeless system, 52 percent use permanent housing, 27 percent use temporary shelter, and 21 percent use interim housing.

In conclusion, Daley added, "I want to thank all our partners for their tireless efforts...we chose to come to Inspiration Corporation today because, as you can see, this place is about transforming people's lives. They are one of many partners who are working hard to make the Plan to End Homelessness real for the people they serve."

Chicago resident Adonia Huerta said, "I was once homeless in Chicago. I'm honest about it. I was one of the lucky ones too. I was able to get out of that never-ending cycle of begging and moving around living place to place between homeless and women's shelters and right on the street. It's a miracle that the city is helping more and more people stay out of that system and off the streets."

From here forward, the City is focusing more on long term effects, including moving more people out of shelters and into homes. They will also be providing people assistance so that they can start normal lives.