A recent report titled “State of Homelessness” from the National Alliance to End Homelessness reveals a challenging reality: the number of people experiencing homelessness in America reached an all-time high in 2023. Based on nationwide Point-in-Time counts, the report highlights a 12.1% increase in homelessness from the previous year. Further, between 2019 and 2023, there was a 23% rise in the number of individuals entering emergency shelters for the first time. These increases are driven by a number of societal issues, including rising housing costs, economic pressures that force households to allocate over 50% of their income to rent, unmet behavioral health needs and inadequate support systems.
In Springfield and Sangamon County, we are experiencing similar increases. In 2019, our local care system supported 999 households experiencing homelessness; by 2023, that figure had risen to 1,123 households. On any given night, nearly 100 more individuals are finding themselves without stable housing compared to four years ago. These increases add additional strain to an already underfunded system of care.
While recent investments from the state of Illinois, particularly through the Home IL initiative, have made a positive impact – boosting the number of households in supportive housing from 94 in 2019 to 244 in 2023 – much more is needed to help more people exit homelessness more quickly than current funding and program capacity allow.
The good news is that our community has worked together to create a solid foundation to move forward. In 2022, a strategic plan funded by eight community partners was finalized, providing a roadmap for aligning efforts and resources to achieve functional zero homelessness. The establishment of Heartland HOUSED has further strengthened our community’s response by overseeing the implementation of this plan and supporting the Heartland Continuum of Care.
Local organizations are actively identifying gaps in services and expanding programs as new funding opportunities arise. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a more effective response to homelessness.
At the same time, we recognize that progress never seems to happen fast enough. We hear community frustration and understand skepticism that progress is being made while so much need remains. Heartland Continuum of Care partners live in the tension of what feels like failure each day as so many in our community lack the stability that housing can provide. At the end of the day, our community has to continue to work together to foster solutions.
Supportive housing is an essential component of efforts to solve homelessness and while progress has been made, our community has much work to do to continue to help people end their experiences of homelessness more quickly. Currently, there is a gap of more than $2 million in community resources needed to provide housing for the 240 households on the Heartland Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry list. Our community’s strategic plan emphasizes the need to increase the number of supportive housing opportunities, enabling individuals to receive the necessary support and end their homelessness more quickly than current wait times allow. To continue monitoring how our community is doing, you can view the inflow and outflow of households from the crisis response system as well as the number of housing placements that occur each month at our Built for Zero community dashboard located at www.heartlandhoused.org
Another essential area for improvement is increasing the capacity for dedicated street outreach staff. Heartland HOUSED aims to establish a street outreach coordinator position by the end of the year, which will enhance the efforts of the Heartland Continuum of Care Street Outreach Task Group. While several organizations are engaged in outreach work, converting part-time roles into full-time positions will significantly boost the effectiveness and consistency of these efforts. We are fortunate to have efforts like the Springfield Police Department’s HOT Team and a number of volunteer outreach groups that play a crucial role in community outreach.
While these are two significant gaps, we know that there are more and we are committed to the continued collaborative work necessary to move forward. By focusing on solutions, working together, maximizing the impact of existing community funds and intentionally investing in areas with gaps, we can create a community response to homelessness that meets people where they are, makes resources increasingly accessible, and walks with people as they pursue supportive housing. Together, we can foster a healthier, more equitable community for all.
Josh Sabo is the executive director of Heartland HOUSED.
This article appears in County Board elections in the spotlight.
