THE MISSION OF THE DUPAGE HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE IS TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DUPAGE COUNTY, IL.

Homelessness is an increasingly reality for a significant number of residents in DuPage County.

A One Night survey conducted on January 27, 2011 indicated that 676 persons in DuPage County were homeless on that night. This is a reduction from 695 in 2009.

• 221 persons in emergency shelter including 20 family units.
• 422 persons in transitional housing including 104 family units.
• 33 unsheltered persons on the street including 1 unsheltered family unit.

147 of thesepersons were chronically homeless. – 132 in shelters and 15 on the streets.

There were 40 youth between the ages of 18-24 in shelter or transitional housing on that night and 148 for the entire year.

For more complete information please see the 2011 Homeless Populations Chart. The next Homeless complete Count is scheduled for January 2013. A sheltered count will be conducted on January 26, 2012.

Important Facts About Demographic Changes in DuPage County

Below are some highlights from the 2009 American Community Survey. Recent demographic trends in DuPage County continue.

· DuPage County had 59,459 (6.50%) people with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level. This is an increase of 14% in one year.

· 160,814 (17.59%) of the population in DuPage County had incomes below 200% FPL, an increase of 11% since the 2008 survey.

· DuPage County has 33,409 fewer people with incomes over 400% of poverty than it did in 2008.

· The population of DuPage continues to become more diverse. The White non-Hispanic population of DuPage has dropped to 667,348 (71.56%). There are 42,202 (4.53%) Blacks, 117,507 (12.60%) Hispanics, 92,956 (9.97%) Asians, and 1545 Native Americans.

· The number of people in DuPage County with limited English proficiency continues to significantly increase. In 2009, there were 872,715 people over age 5. Of those 233,745 (26.78%) spoke a language other than English at home.

(www.census.gov/acs/www)

Heartland Social Impact Research Center
(link)

The risk of becoming homeless affects an even higher number of DuPage residents.

Housing Assistance - In fiscal year 2011, 3917 persons in 1402 households received financial assistance for rent, security deposits, moving costs, or mortgage in order to prevent them becoming homeless.

Utility Assistance - In fiscal year 2011, 1080 persons in 347 households received financial utility assistance in order to prevent them becoming homelessness.

Support Services - In fiscal year 2011, 2502 persons in 952 households received case management, legal services, and/or financial counseling to prevent them becoming homeless.
(2011 DuPage Continuum Prevention Providers Survey)

Click on the Homeless Prevention Tab to see more detailed statistics and geographic locations for services.

• a well-coordinated, seamless continuum of emergency and long-term housing and support services to people who are homeless;
• an effective countywide emergency relief system to help people stay in their housing;
• the Housing First approach- getting persons in housing as soon as possible and following later with their service needs.
• developing an adequate supply of safe affordable housing to eliminate homelessness.