Politics & Government

Homelessness Down, But Still a Concern in DuPage County

While homelessness in DuPage County has decreased, there is a significant need for emergency shelter services and an increase in the number of students who are homeless.

From DuPage County:

While statistics show that homelessness in DuPage County decreased last year, officials say the numbers do not reflect a decline in demand for emergency shelter services. 

According to the DuPage Homeless Continuum of Care, during Fiscal Year 2012, a total of 1,384 men, women and children stayed in an emergency shelter in DuPage County or accessed emergency shelter services, but did not stay overnight. Of that number, 142 were families with children under the age of 18. During Fiscal Year 2011, 1,460 people utilized emergency shelters and of that total 258 were families with children under the age of 18.

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Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS and member of the Continuum of Care, said homelessness affects people of all ages, races and ethnicities. Those most at risk suffer from job loss, domestic abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, disabling health conditions or lack life skills or the ability to live on their own.

“Some people may think the number of homeless is not significant compared to the nearly 1 million people in the County, however, in terms of cost to hospitals, communities and correctional systems, this is a significant number,” she said.

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The DuPage Homeless Continuum of Care is comprised of non-profit agencies, including DuPage County Community Services, that provide residents faced with homelessness access to safe, affordable housing and a comprehensive and integrated system of support services.

Even though the statistics have shown that those seeking emergency shelters have decreased, Regional Superintendent Darlene Ruscitti said the number of homeless students increased from 1,000 in 2011 to 1,287 in 2012.

“The economic problems faced by many in our county have contributed to the increase in the number of homeless students. Our schools are very supportive of those students, but it does put an added burden on their already limited resources. The DuPage Regional Office of Education employs a homeless student advocate under a federal grant to assist students and schools,” said Ruscitti.

Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Bob Larsen said he is proud of the work DuPage has done in partnering with agencies throughout the County to combat homelessness. He noted, however, that the County and non-profit agencies have had to readjust their service delivery plans to address the loss of federal stimulus funds.

“While we are proud of our effort to combat homelessness in DuPage County, we know it is an issue that isn’t going away. We will continue to work with our social service partners to help these individuals and families access the assistance they need,” said Larsen. “As the demand for these services continues, and in an age of dwindling state and federal grant funding, we will continue to seek out creative and cost-effective ways of providing services to those who need them most.”

Last year, the state and federal funding issue forced one shelter to cut its number of available beds by half. The agency originally served 123 families, however due to budget cuts it only has 59 beds available on a daily basis.

More affordable housing is one solution that would help end homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in DuPage County costs $958 and $853 for a one-bedroom unit. The hourly wage per household to afford to live in the two-bedroom apartment would be $18.42 and $16.40 for a one-bedroom unit.

“Many people who are homeless have jobs, but they do not make the $16.40 per hour that is needed to afford a one bedroom apartment in DuPage County,” said Simler. “We know the solution to ending homelessness is housing – housing is the key, not shelter. People can accomplish amazing things when they have a stable place to call home.”

Simler said permanent supportive housing is a part of the solution to ending homelessness as it interrupts the costly cycling of these individuals through publicly funded shelters, emergency rooms, detox centers and prisons. Permanent supportive housing has been proven to help families, individuals and veterans who face the most complex challenges – homelessness, low incomes and issues that can include mental illness, substance use and a disabling health condition – live more stable lives.

Moving forward, the Continuum of Care will continue its efforts to ensure that every DuPage County resident has their basic needs of food, clothing and housing met so that they can achieve their maximum level of self-sufficiency.

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