CITY PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS

City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (pictured) announced a new agreement with YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to provide emergency shelter for the city’s homeless population during COVID-19. Photo courtesy of City of Chicago/Mayor’s Office
City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (pictured) announced a new agreement with YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to provide emergency shelter for the city’s homeless population during COVID-19. Photo courtesy of City of Chicago/Mayor’s Office

City provides emergency shelter for the homeless

BY TIA CAROL JONES

As numbers of COVID-19 cases in the city of Chicago increase, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Monday, March 23, two key measures to provide relief to hospitals and increase the capacity to aid in the city’s fight to prevent the spread of the virus. One of those measures involves the city’s homeless population.

The city of Chicago reached a new agreement with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to provide access to emergency shelter during the stay-at-home order for those who are homeless at certain YMCA locations.

“Chicago’s response to this crisis is moving fast and addressing multiple fronts. I’m proud to make two more critical announcements on measures we are taking to support our healthcare workers and stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mayor Lightfoot said. “We have been focusing in these last few days on several important areas, one is our healthcare system, making sure our healthcare system has the support to meet the daily challenge. We’ve also been focused on our vulnerable populations -- seniors, people with underlying conditions and of course, the homeless.”

The agreement would create 400 additional shelter beds, while still adhering to the six-feet social distancing practice. There also will be 500 additional beds at other sites.

“Like so many Chicago institutions, nonprofits like the YMCA face an uncertain future. But that concern is secondary to the health and safety of Chicago’s citizens – especially the most vulnerable in our community like displaced and homeless individuals,” Richard Malone, president and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, said. “In partnership with the city and other community-based organizations, the Y is proud to step up to provide needed shelter in YMCA locations across the city that have been shut down by COVID-19.”

Recently, the Department of Family and Support Services has temporarily suspended referral into shelters because city-funded shelters are 99 percent full. The Department of Family and Support Services is also working to reconfigure shelters to adhere to the social distancing practice. The agreement with the YMCA helps to bolster the city’s efforts to respond to the needs of the homeless populations during COVID-19.

“The health and safety of all those we serve are among our highest priorities,” Lisa Morrison Butler, commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, said. “I applaud the YMCA for coming forward to help address a critical need for homeless residents. Everyone has a role to play in getting ready, staying healthy and making sure the most vulnerable residents get the support they need.”

The Department of Family and Support Services also has accelerated its Homeless Outreach Program team, by increasing visits to encampments to provide resources, gauging interests in shelter placement and working to identify residents at higher risk for coronavirus because of chronic health issues and older age. The team also made hand sanitizer and wipes, hygiene kits and deployed hand-washing stations to larger homeless encampments.

“I applaud the commitment and dedication of our city’s partner organizations as we work together to meet this moment brought by the COVID-19 virus,” Mayor Lightfoot said. “By working in tandem with healthcare experts and local organizations to increase capacity for those affected, we have been able to develop innovative solutions to ensure every resident – regardless of status or where they live – are able to obtain the care and refuge needed to prevent the spread of this disease and keep every Chicagoan safe and secure.”

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