Housing insecurity includes a broader set of challenges such as the inability to pay rent or utilities, or the need to move frequently. All of these challenges affect students, and the results this year suggest that it is more common to endure them during college than to have all of one’s needs met.
Homelessness means that a person is without a place to live, often residing in a shelter, an automobile, an abandoned building, or outside.
Housing Insecurity Resources
In an effort to provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness, Illinois Tech has designated a liaison to assist enrolled homeless students.
If you are at risk or experiencing homelessness, contact:
Melisa Lopez
Director of Student Success and Retention
University Ombudsperson
IBHE HOUSE Liaison
lopez@iit.edu
Below is a list of community resources to support students who are experiencing homelessness or do not have stable housing.
Food
Saint James Catholic Church—Food Distribution Center
2907 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Regular Pantry Program
St. James Food Pantry distributes food on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9–11 a.m. If you would like to get help, call 312.842.1919 ext. 215 or visit the pantry during its regular operating hours.
Emergency Program
Emergency services are available to all clients with social service referrals. Emergency food, infant formula, and diapers are provided Monday through Thursday between 9–11 a.m.
Lunch Program for Persons Without Housing
The Lunch Program began in 2005 to address the needs of people without housing who have no way of cooking or refrigerating food. Lunches are served Monday through Thursday from 1–3 p.m.
Second Saturday of the Month Pantry Program
St. James Food Pantry participates in the Food Depository’s Mobile Pantry program to provide supplemental perishable and non-perishable food products to individuals on the second Saturday of the month from 9–11 a.m. This service is designed to ensure that all people in Cook County have access to food during times not typical for food distribution.
Matthew House
3728 South Indiana Avenue
Chicago, IL 60653
Matthew House, a nonprofit and community-based organization, provides food, daytime shelter, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services to men, women, families, and children who are experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository ensures that no person goes hungry in Chicago or the surrounding areas. Please visit the link for information to find food at local food pantries and meal kitchens.
Clothing
There are many discount clothing options throughout the city. Here are just a few options:
Goodwill stores
Goodwill stores are abundant across the city and the surrounding areas and provide used clothing and household items at a significant discount. To find the Goodwill store closest to you: http://www.goodwill.org/
Bridge to Success
Bridge to Success’s mission is to enhance employment opportunities for at-risk, low-income, or no-income men, women, and young adults by providing high-end, contemporary interview clothing, coupled with a personal stylist and coaching, to build self-confidence through appearance, interview preparation, and a sense of belonging in the workplace. For more information and to shop their store: http://www.thebridgetosuccess.org/
Cornerstone Community Outreach
Cornerstone Community Outreach is an community organization in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood that is dedicated to providing shelter to individuals and families in need of a home. Part of its mission and outreach is providing a “free store” its specific communities and its neighbors. The “free store” is a place where you can “shop” for clothing items and household essentials. For more information: http://www.ccolife.org/services-for-our-neighbors/
Legal Services
Youth Futures Mobile Legal Clinic
The Law Project provides legal services to homeless and unaccompanied youth through its Youth Futures Mobile Legal Clinic. The goal of this clinic is to provide civil legal service to homeless youth through various established outreach sites. Youth Futures can assist you if you are experiencing housing instability with a variety of civil legal problems, including but not limited to education enrollment, school fees, transportation, discrimination, immunization records, civil rights, public benefits, identification documents, housing, and shelter.
For more information: https://sites.google.com/site/lawprojectcch/youth-futures
Law Offices of Adam David Ingber, P.C. Ingber
Ingber is contracted by the university to provide free, limited legal services to Illinois Tech students. He can be reached at 312.853.3588 or ingberlaw@gmail.com.
Housing and Drop-In Centers
Homeless Youth Resources in Chicago—Drop-In Centers
NORTH SIDE
Neon Street Dorms—4506 North Sheridan Road (two blocks east of the Wilson Red Line stop). 773.366.6740. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Male, female and transgender youth ages 18–24.
Broadway Youth Center—Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 West Wellington (at Broadway). 773.935.3151. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, noon–3 p.m. Youth ages 12–24. Free and confidential testing on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 3–8 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Center on Halsted—3656 North Halsted (Corner of Halsted and Waveland, Near Addison Red Line stop). 773.472.6469. Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Youth ages 13–24.
WEST SIDE
La Casa Norte Casa Corazon West—3543 West North Avenue (on North Avenue and Central Park Avenue). 773.276.4900. Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Youth ages 16–21.
Vida/SIDA Generation L—2640 West Division. 773.278.6737. Tuesday–Saturday, noon–9 p.m. Youth ages 18–24.
SOUTH SIDE
Garfield Community Services Center—10 South Kedzie (Madison and Kedzie). 312.722.3885. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Teen Living Programs Drop-In Center—5500 South Indiana (located in the basement of Life Center Church). 773.891.2505. Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday by appointment only. Youth ages 18–24.
La Casa Norte Casa Corazon South—1736 West 47th Street. 773.276.4900. Monday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Youth ages 18–24.
DOWNTOWN
Drop-In Space—877.606.3158. Tuesday 1–8 p.m. Women/trans women ages 14–22 who may have had to engage in sex to survive (involved in the sex trade). Call for address and more information.
Street Outreach Programs
NORTH SIDE
The Night Ministry’s Street Outreach Events—Corner of Belmont and Halsted. Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30–10:30 p.m.
SOUTH SIDE
Teen Living Program’s Street and Community Outreach—call 866.803.8336 for dates, times, and locations.
Emergency Housing Options (Overnight Shelters)
NORTH SIDE
The Crib—835 West Addison Street at the Lakeview Lutheran Church (two blocks east of the Addison Red Line stop). Meals, showers, laundry, bed. Arrive no earlier than 8:30 p.m. If necessary, a lottery takes place at 8:45 p.m. Catholic Charities is present to take any youth who are turned away from the lottery to another overnight program. Youth ages 18–24. 773.506.3123 (daytime number).
NORTHWEST SIDE
La Casa Norte—1940 North California Avenue. 773.276.4900 or 773.270.5126. Doors open at 9 p.m. Youth ages 18–24.
WEST SIDE
A Safe Haven—2750 West Roosevelt (on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and California). Hot meal, shower, laundry, bed. 773.435.8300. Arrive at 7 p.m. Youth 18–24.
SOUTH SIDE
Olive Branch Mission*—6310 South Claremont (one block east of Western and 63rd). 773.476.6200. Doors open at 5 p.m. and close at 11 p.m. No food, no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes, no lighters on the premises. Ages 18-plus.
La Casa Norte—1736 West 47th Street. 773.276.4900. Doors open at 9 p.m. Youth ages 18–24.
La Casa Norte—Overnight shelter for pregnant and parenting youth ages 18–24. 773.276.4900. Call for intake process or email Shanavia@lacasanorte.org.
Ujima Village—7320 South Yale. Arrive by 8 p.m., lottery held at 8:15 p.m. for 24 beds. Doors close at 8:30 p.m. Youth ages 18–24.
FAR SOUTH SIDE
Universal Family Connection—1350 West 103rd Street. 773.881.1711. Youth ages 14–24. Monday–Wednesday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Interim Housing Options Stay for up to 120 days
NORTH SIDE
Open Door Shelter*—1110 North Noble Street (four blocks southeast of the Division Blue Line stop). 773.506.4100. CALL FREQUENTLY FOR OPENINGS. When a bed is available, it can be held for two to three hours. Youth ages 14–20. Four-month maximum stay. Transitional living program available to clients in the interim program.
Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (“RAPP”)*—3262 North Clark Street. 773.506.3120. Provides four months shelter for homeless girls who are pregnant and/or parenting and their infants and toddlers. Youth 14–19.
NORTH SUBURB
Hilda’s Place—1458 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois (three blocks north of the Dempster Purple Line stop). 847.424.0945 ext. 10. Ages 18+. Four-month maximum stay.
WEST SIDE
Joshua’s Center for Women—330 West Carroll Avenue (eight blocks northwest of the Ashland-Lake Green and Pink Line stop). 773.722.0179. Females ages 18-plus. Four-month maximum stay. Attend drop-in services Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m., to get on the waiting list. Must continue to access drop-in services to remain on the waiting list.
A Safe Haven—2750 West Roosevelt (on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and California). 773.435.8300. Ages 18-plus. Call to schedule intake appointment.
Transitional Living Programs (Long-Term Housing)
LOOP
Mercy Home (Boys Campus)—1140 West Jackson (six blocks northwest of the University of Illinois Chicago Blue Line stop). 312.738.6364. Call to begin the application process. Males ages 18–22.
NORTH SIDE
Neon Street Dorms—4506 North Sheridan Road (two blocks east of the Wilson Red Line stop). 773.336.6740. Call to schedule an intake assessment to be put on the waiting list. Must access drop-in center service (9 a.m.–7 p.m.) at least twice a month to stay on the waiting list. Male, female, and transgender youth ages 18–24.
WEST SIDE
La Casa Norte—3533 West North Avenue (on North Avenue and Central Park Avenue). 773.276.4900. Call to be put on the waiting list. Males and transgender youth ages 16–21.
New Moms*—5317 West Chicago Avenue (two blocks west of Laramie). 773.610.7696. Transitional housing for single mothers ages 18–24 with up to two children for up to 24 months. Emergency housing not provided. Call property manager to learn about intake.
El Rescate—2703 West Division Street. 872.829.2662. LGBTQ youth ages 18–24, including youth living with HIV.
SOUTH SIDE
Olive Branch Mission—6310 South Claremont (one block east of Western and 63rd). 773.476.6200. No food, no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes, no lighters on the premises. Males ages 18–25. To get into the program, you must stay in the emergency housing.
Unity Harmony Village*—7701 South Stewart. 773.783.9200. Call to complete a telephone intake. Youth ages 17–22.
Teen Living Programs Belfort House—3745 South Indiana. 866.803.8336. Call to complete a telephone intake. Youth ages 17–21.
Emerge (ChildServ)—5401 South Wentworth. 773.239.8264. Young adults who are single or have families with up to two children.
FAR SOUTH SIDE
Mercy Home (Girls Campus)—11600 South Longwood Drive (116th Street and Longwood Drive). 312.738.6364. Call to begin the application process. Females ages 18–22.
Night Ministry
The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care, and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. They provide housing assistance, transportation, assistance, health care, a listening ear, and food. Drop-in services available.
For more information: https://thenightministry.org/
Covenant House Illinois
The mission of the Covenant House Illinois is to provide homeless youth (ages 18–24) with ongoing care and crisis support. Drop-in services available.
To get help: https://www.covenanthouseil.org/get-help
LYTE Collective
LYTE Collective serves young adults impacted by poverty and homelessness. Our mission is to support every young adult who contacts us, with whatever they need, for as long as they want us by their side; end harmful systems that cause young people to need our help in the first place; and build a more just and equitable world together with all who aspire to do better by young people.
To get help: https://www.lytecollective.org/
Brave Space Alliance
Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center located on the South Side of Chicago and dedicated to creating and providing affirming, culturally competent, for-us by-us resources, programming, and services for LGBTQ+ individuals on the South and West sides of the city. We strive to empower, embolden, and educate each other through mutual aid, knowledge-sharing, and the creation of community-sourced resources as we build toward the liberation of all oppressed peoples.
To get help: https://www.bravespacealliance.org/
(available to all members of Chicago community but intended for BIPOC trans and gender-nonconforming individuals)
To find a shelter or drop-in center near you: https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Chicago&state=IL