Emergency and Transitional Housing Program

The Emergency and Transitional Housing Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, a state agency responsible for delivering social services and support programs to vulnerable populations across Illinois. This program is designed to address homelessness and housing instability by providing immediate shelter and supportive services to individuals and families in crisis. It operates through partnerships with local nonprofit and government organizations that deliver services directly to beneficiaries. The program aligns with state administrative rules and statutory guidance governing emergency food and shelter services, ensuring compliance with established service delivery standards. The primary purpose of the program is to provide comprehensive housing-related assistance to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Services funded through this program include overnight shelter, voucher-based emergency shelter, and transitional housing. Overnight shelter services are limited to short-term stays of up to twelve hours and must include access to at least one daily meal along with case management, advocacy, and counseling. Voucher shelter services provide temporary accommodations in hotels or motels when traditional shelter options are unavailable, also requiring supportive services. Transitional housing offers longer-term residency for up to twenty four months and includes structured support services to help participants achieve stability. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities including housing provision, food services, and supportive case management. Transitional housing providers may charge limited fees, capped at thirty percent of a participant household income, though such fees cannot be used to meet any matching requirements. The program explicitly focuses on supportive services and case management as essential components of housing stability, ensuring that recipients receive not only shelter but also assistance in addressing underlying issues such as employment, health, and social integration. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and government entities capable of delivering housing and supportive services. While the program description does not specify detailed applicant eligibility criteria, applicants are expected to demonstrate organizational capacity, financial stability, and experience serving high-risk populations, including immigrants, refugees, and individuals with complex needs. Applicants must also show the ability to engage with community stakeholders and deliver culturally competent services tailored to their target populations. Applications are reviewed through a merit-based process in accordance with Illinois administrative rules. Evaluation criteria include demonstrated need, organizational capacity, quality of program design, and budget justification. Applicants must provide evidence of their ability to manage programs effectively, conduct outreach, deliver services, and maintain reporting and compliance standards. Additional consideration may be given to organizations led by individuals from the communities they serve, particularly those representing immigrant or refugee populations. The program does not specify fixed application deadlines and operates as a non-competitive funding opportunity, suggesting ongoing or periodically renewed funding cycles. Applicants are required to submit annual funding plans and comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly financial and performance reports. Award decisions are made by the Department, which retains final authority and may consider factors such as geographic distribution, demonstrated need, and past performance. Contact for the program is provided through the Illinois Department of Human Services, with Angela Campo serving as the primary point of contact. She can be reached via email or phone for inquiries related to application procedures, appeals, and program requirements. The program supports approximately seventy six grant awards and serves tens of thousands of individuals annually, making it a significant component of the state housing support infrastructure.

Emphasize demonstrated community need strong organizational capacity and clear program design with measurable outcomes