Chicago’s Homeless Population Surges, As Major U.S. Cities Bore the Brunt of National Trend

Homelessness in Chicago: A Growing Concern

As the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness last year, Chicago’s total more than tripled.

Nationally, the dramatic rise was driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing, natural disasters, and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials say in a new report.

Chicago estimated 18,836 people experienced homelessness last year compared with 6,139 in 2023, according to the city’s annual tally released last summer.

Homelessness mainly surged due to the number of migrants arriving in the city. But as migrants find permanent housing, experts say the city’s homeless population still faces a shortage of affordable housing and resources.

Seeking Solutions

Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities affected by migrants, including Chicago, according to the national report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The impacts are often felt at school, says Chicago Teachers Union Housing Committee Chair Kevin Moore.

“If you do not have stable housing, it’s difficult to expect a child to come to school on a regular basis,” Moore says. “It’s hard to focus on school or work when you don’t know where you’ll be sleeping at the end of the day or where your next meal is coming from.”

The teachers union has proposed measures aimed at housing in its next contract.

“Why wouldn’t we want to find ways to connect those families with housing services, too? ” Potter says. “It’s people the parents already know and the children trust instead of having to run around and find these things.”

Avoiding the Same Mistakes

Contract negotiations between CTU and CPS stalled last month, with CPS’ Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton saying that there are “both financial and non-financial issues” that remain unresolved. The CTU is pushing to land a contract deal before a new, partly elected school board is seated Jan. 15.

According to Soto, the city hopes to address the affordable housing issue through tax increment financing, or TIF funds. There are also plans to explore a $2 million rental assistance program for Chicagoans. Soto says her office aims to have the application process finalized by the end of January and ready to present to the City Council soon after.

“There are a lot of new initiatives that we’re building here,” Soto says. “But most importantly, we’re really trying to bring all of our city services together so we can address homelessness holistically.”

But Is It Enough?

“The abatement of the migrant crisis doesn’t mean that things are better for those experiencing homelessness,” says Doug Schenkelberg, executive director at the Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness.

“What we need is deep, sustained funding to build permanent housing and pay for the support services that people experiencing homelessness need,” he says.

Conclude

The city’s efforts to address homelessness are a step in the right direction, but it’s clear that more needs to be done. The city’s housing crisis requires a comprehensive approach that involves not only providing temporary solutions but also building permanent housing and supporting services for those in need. The city’s leaders must work together to create a more sustainable and equitable solution to address the growing homelessness crisis in Chicago.

FAQs

Q: What is the current state of homelessness in Chicago?

A: According to the city’s annual tally, 18,836 people experienced homelessness in 2024, a significant increase from 6,139 in 2023.

Q: What are the main causes of homelessness in Chicago?

A: The surge in migrants is a major factor, but also a lack of affordable housing and natural disasters are contributing to the growing crisis.

Q: What is being done to address homelessness in Chicago?

A: The city is working to merge its shelter systems for asylum seekers and unhoused individuals, and is exploring initiatives such as tax increment financing and rental assistance programs to address the issue.

Q: What is the city’s plan for addressing the affordable housing shortage?

A: The city hopes to use tax increment financing and explore a $2 million rental assistance program to address the issue.