>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO THIS WTW NEWS SPECIAL FIRSTHAND HOMELESS.

PARISH SHOTS.

HOMELESSNESS IS A WIDESPREAD AND COMPLEX ISSUE IN CHICAGO AND OTHER AMERICAN CITIES WITH NO QUICK ANSWERS OR SIMPLE SOLUTIONS AS PART OF OUR FIRST HAND INITIATIVE WTW SPENDING A YEAR FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES AND UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE ACROSS CHICAGO'S NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST HAND DOCUMENTARIES AND FIRSTHAND TALKS ON OUR WEBSITE AT DOM SLASH FIRSTHAND AND WDW NEWS.

WE'LL HAVE CONTINUING SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE ISSUE, INCLUDING TONIGHT'S SPECIAL PROGRAM.

AND HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

HOMELESSNESS HAS RISEN TO RECORD LEVELS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE TALK WITH 2 LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE CRISIS.

>> A HUMAN RIGHT.

>> WHAT'S AT STAKE AS VOTERS CONSIDER A PLAN TO HIKE TAXES ON SALES OF MILLION DOLLAR HOMES TO HELP FIGHT HOMELESSNESS.

HOW OUTREACH WORKERS ARE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO SHELTER ON THE CTA.

GOING TO BUST AND GUESS WHAT, I'LL DO.

EFFORT BY COOK COUNTY TO PROVIDE LONGER-TERM APARTMENT STYLE LIVING.

THINGS OFF RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART THE ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS FAMILY.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> FOR MUCH OF THE PAST DECADE, HOMELESSNESS IN CHICAGO HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT, BUT LARGELY HIDDEN CRISIS.

BUT A ONE-TWO PUNCH.

FIRST, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THEN THE ARRIVAL OF MORE THAN 35,000 MIGRANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER SHREDDED THE CITY'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST CHICAGOANS TO IGNORE THE GROWING NUMBER OF UNSHELTERED PEOPLE ON THE CITY STREETS.

BTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT WHETHER VOTERS WILL GIVE THE CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL NEW POWER TO ADDRESSED THE SPIRALING CRISIS NEXT MONTH WHEN WHEN THEY GO TO THE SO GIVE US A SENSE FIRST, HEATHER, THE SCOPE OF THE HOMELESS PROBABLY MENTION THE MIGRANTS, OBVIOUSLY COMPLICATING THINGS.

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT FOR DECADES, ADVOCATES FOR THE UNHOUSED HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED THAT THAT.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO UPDATE THE WAY THAT THEY COUNT UNSHELTERED PEOPLE.

SO IF YOU ASK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, HOMELESSNESS HAS NOT WORSENED SIGNIFICANTLY IN CHICAGO WITH AN AVERAGE OF 5500 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN UNSHELTERED ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT.

BUT IF YOU ASK THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, THAT WOEFULLY UNDER COUCH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOUBLED UP WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AND THE TRUE SCOPE OF THE CRISIS SHOULD INCLUDE THOSE PEOPLE, WHICH NUMBER MORE THAN 68,000 PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

SO HUGE DISCREPANCY HERE.

AND WITH THE PROPOSAL KNOWN AS BRING CHICAGO HOME, DO REMIND US, WELL, IF THIS IS ESSENTIALLY AN INITIATIVE BY GROUPS LIKE THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, KNOWING THAT MORE FEDERAL MONEY IS NOT ON THE WAY AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT IS TO RAISE THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX ON PROPERTIES.

>> THAT SELL FOR MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOWERING THE TRANSFER TASK FOR PROPERTIES THAT SELL FOR LESS ABOUT HIM NOW, THAT IS ESTIMATED TO GENERATE ABOUT 100 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY WHICH WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND IT WILL HELP PEOPLE GET DIRECTLY INTO HOMES RATHER THAN WAITING ON SOMETIMES MONTHS AND YEARS LONG WAITING AND SO THIS IS A BALLOT REFERENDUM THAT CITY COUNCIL PASSED.

VOTERS ARE GOING TO GO HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THIS.

WHAT'S AT STAKE WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLS?

IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG TEST OF MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S.

>> POLITICAL MUSCLE.

HE ENDORSE THIS PROPOSAL.

HE PUSHED IT THROUGH TO THE BALLOT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, WHETHER HE CAN GET THROUGH WILL REALLY BE A TEST OF WHETHER CHICAGO VOTERS ARE WILLING TO RAISE TAXES ON WEALTHY CHICAGOANS TO START TO REBUILD THAT SHREDDED SOCIAL SOCIAL SAFETY NET THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT.

ALL RIGHT, HEATHER SHARON, MUCH MORE TO COME ON THIS.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> AND PLEASE GO READ OTHERS FULL STORY AT WWW DOT COM SLASH FIRSTHAND.

AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE, YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER STORIES.

THE CTA RAIL SYSTEM HAS LONG BEEN A SHELTER OF LAST RESORT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THERE HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO HELP THEM.

CTA LEADERS CITE COVID-19 WITH DRIVING A SPIKE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SHELTERING ON TRAINS AS A REASON TO TAKE ACTION AS PART OF A NATIONWIDE TREND OF TRANSIT SYSTEMS FOCUSING LESS ON ENFORCEMENT AND MORE ON OUTREACH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLOCK CLUB.

CHICAGO BLOOMBERG TELLS US HOW THE CTA IS SPENDING MILLIONS TO HELP UNSHELTERED CHICAGOANS AND THE MANY CHALLENGES THE TRANSIT AGENCY AND ITS PARTNERS FACE.

>> THESE OUTREACH WORKERS FROM THE NONPROFIT HAYMARKET CENTER ARE ONE OF 4 TEAMS THAT TRAVEL THE CTA, RED AND BLUE LINES OFFERING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

>> HAVE BLOCKS OF THE CONTRERAS JUST IN CASE.

WE SNACK PACKS.

>> THE TEAMS ARE MADE UP OF MULTIPLE OUTREACH WORKERS FROM THE HAYMARKET CENTER AND THE ORGANIZATION THRESHOLDS TO GROUPS WORKING DAY SHIFT TO GROUPS ARE ON THE NIGHT SHIFT.

SOME OF THE WORK IS SIMPLY MAKING CONVERSATION.

SOME OF IT IS MEETING BASIC NEEDS LIKE CLOTHES AND FOOD.

IT'S MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

WHAT WE CAN HELP.

>> YOU GET INTO A SHELTER AND IT'S TOUGH THING.

BUT SOMETIMES WE'RE SUCCESSFUL, OK, AND OVERBURDENED SHELTER SYSTEM.

WE CAN HELP YOU GET ON THE INDEPENDENT HOUSING.

>> OUTREACH WORKERS SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME ON TRAINS AND IN STATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES AT THE READY TO HELP PEOPLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT WE ENCOUNTER ON THE TRAIN.

OUR TEAM WHO'S WHO'S IN THE VAN SORT OF ROLL UP TO THE NEXT STATION, PICK THAT PERSON UP AND PROVIDE THEM TRANSPORTATION TO A SHELTER TO A HOSPITAL TO OUR SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT FACILITY.

>> TO SECURITY OFFICE TO THE STATE ID TO ANY OF THOSE DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> THOSE TEAMS ARE PART OF 2 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM CREATED BY THE CTA AND THE CITY'S FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS FIRST APPROVED IN NOVEMBER 2022.

AND RENEWED IN NOVEMBER 2023.

WITH AN ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THESE ARE OUR HOMELESS BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

RIGHT?

AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ASSIST THEM IN A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

A NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS COME TO US AND SAY NOT JUST, HEY, THIS IS AN ISSUE AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

BUT WHAT CAN I DO?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

>> ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S MOST RECENT ESTIMATE OF ITS HOMELESS POPULATION, NEARLY HALF OF CHICAGOANS WITHOUT SHELTER.

WE'RE USING THE CTA AS A PLACE TO STAY WAS CLEAR THAT WE HAD TO TAKE MORE STEPS TO ADDRESS SITUATION.

>> INDIVIDUAL SHELTERING ON THE CTA DON'T WANT TO BE SHELTERING THERE.

THEY WANT TO BE SHELTERING IN MORE PERMANENT LOCATIONS.

>> AT LAST COUNT, THE CTA SAYS OUTREACH WORKERS HAVE LOGGED MORE THAN 5,000 ENCOUNTERS WITH PASSENGERS WHO ARE HOMELESS.

MORE THAN 120 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN A SHELTER AND NEARLY 50 HAVE GOTTEN PERMANENT HOUSING.

THOSE NUMBERS REPRESENT HARD, ONE RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST BUILT OVER TIME.

IT COULD BE 50 VISITS.

>> SOMETIMES IT COULD BE 2 OR 3 VISITS JUST REALLY THE PATS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP SHOWING UP TO GET KEEP COMING BACK.

>> IN REPORTS OBTAINED BY WTW NEWS AND BLOCK CLUB.

CHICAGO, THE OUTREACH TEAMS DETAIL SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE AS OF LAST FALL.

THE MAJORITY OF ENCOUNTERS WHERE WITH PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO ENGAGE MUCH WITH WORKERS, MAJOR PORTION OF SERVICE REQUESTS WERE FOR MORE BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS AS WELL AS CASE MANAGEMENT AND HELP ENROLLING IN THE SHELTER SYSTEM.

>> THIS KIND OF WORK DOESN'T HAVE A TYPICAL DAY.

THE AMOUNT OF THE HOW BROAD OUR SERVICES ARE IS REALLY INTENDED BECAUSE WE'RE THERE TO RESPOND TO THE NEED OF THE PATIENTS.

>> DESPITE THE OBSTACLES, THE REPORT ALSO SHOWED THE IMPACT THE PROGRAM IS HAVING WHEN HE MARKET TEAM WAS ABLE TO REVERSE AN OVERDOSE ON THE BLUE LINE.

ANOTHER CLIENT, ONE OF THE NEARLY 50 OR SO AT LAST COUNT, PLACED UNSTABLE OR PERMANENT HOUSING RECONNECTED WITH HIS MOTHER AND LEARNED HARM REDUCTION TECHNIQUES BECAUSE HE USES HEROIN.

>> PEOPLE DO BETTER IF YOU CAN FIND THEM SAFE HOUSING FASTER AND THEN THEY CAN WORK THINGS OF THAT LIFE.

IT'S EASY TO WORK ON MY MENTAL I SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHALLENGES.

IF I GOT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD.

>> BUT THAT POINTS TO A HUGE PROBLEM BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE CTA, HAYMARKET ARE THRESHOLDS.

CHICAGO'S SHORTAGE OF SHELTER SPACE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION SAYS THERE ARE ONLY ENOUGH AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE UNITS FOR ABOUT A 3RD OF EXTREMELY LOW-INCOME RENTER HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

IT'S TO B AND SWITCH A LEE SIMMONS IS WITH THE CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, WHICH SETS THE CITY'S NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT MORE THAN 68,000.

THAT'S A MIX OF PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET IN SHELTERS OR DOUBLED UP IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME.

NO REASON.

>> WHY MANY PEOPLE YOU KNOW, BE EXPERIENCING HOMES STANCE.

NO REASON WHY, YOU KNOW, IT'S TAKEN THIS LONG ADDRESS THE AND IS ONLY GETTING SIMMONS'S ORGANIZATION IS BACKING THE BALLOT MEASURE KNOWN AS BRING CHICAGO HOME.

IT CALLS FOR RAISING THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX ON PROPERTIES SELLING FOR MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, CREATING A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING EACH AND EVERY YEAR.

YOU KNOW, BUDGET IS ON END.

>> AND MONEY, YOU KNOW, TO DO, NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO DO AND OFTENTIMES, YOU KNOW, HOMELESSNESS IS OPEN >> IN THE MEANTIME, SIMMONS AND OTHER ADVOCATES SAY AGENCIES LIKE CTA MOVING AWAY FROM ENFORCEMENT TOWARD OUTREACH IS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

IT'S PART OF A NATIONWIDE TREND AMONG TRANSIT AGENCIES THAT ARE FACING DOWN A SOCIETAL PROBLEM LARGELY OUTSIDE THEIR TRADITIONAL EXPERTISE OR CONTROL.

YOU CAN'T SOLVE THIS.

PROBLEM.

>> JUST BY USING FORCE MAGAZINE DO NEED TO HAVE THAT SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THEIR THAT OUTREACH.

>> PREVIOUS ETA OUTREACH PROGRAMS WEREN'T THIS EXTENSIVE OR CONSISTENT?

WELL, THE PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED ONLY THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

MCKOWN SAYS THE AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO 2 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY WITH HOPES OF EXPANDING AND HELPING MORE PEOPLE INTO A PERMANENT HOME.

>> YOU CAN'T JUST, YOU KNOW, DO SOMETHING FOR A YEAR AND EXPECTED TO HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON A SYSTEM.

AND SO THERE AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT.

>> WITH THE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED THROUGH THE END OF 2024, OUTREACH TEAMS WILL BE OUT ON THE RED AND BLUE LINES DOING WHAT THEY CAN AS ADVOCATES PUSH TO CREATE MORE STABLE, PERMANENT PLACES THAT PEOPLE SHELTERING ON THE CTA KIND EVENTUALLY CALL HOME.

SO THOSE GOING TO ALWAYS BE MORE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.

BUT THE KEY IS HOUSING.

THOSE PEOPLE IN 5, YOU HAVING.

>> EASY TO ACCESS HOUSING DIFFERENT LEVELS.

THE HARVEST IS PLENTY.

LEVERS ARE FEW.

SO WE NEED RESOURCES OUT THERE.

AND JOINING US NOW ARE WTW NEWS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER NICK BLUMBERG AND FROM BLOCK CLUB, CHICAGO INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER RACHEL HINTON.

YOU GUYS WORKED ON THE STORY TOGETHER.

SO RACHEL.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE PEACE AT CTA ISN'T FOCUSING AS MUCH ON ENFORCEMENT AS IT ONCE DID.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE?

YES, OR MOVE AWAY FROM ENFORCEMENT NOW MEANS THAT INSTEAD OF SOMEONE BEING TICKETED OR ARRESTED FOR BEING HOMELESS ON THE TRAIN AND USING IT FOR SHELTER.

>> NOW THE CTA IS FOCUSING ON ENFORCING ITS CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH INCLUDES PROHIBITING PEOPLE FROM RIDING CONTINUOUSLY.

BUT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE CALLED INTO POTENTIALLY TALK TO OR TRY TO REMOVE THE PERSON FROM THE TRAIN, THEY'RE CONNECTED TO OUTREACH SERVICES RATHER THAN BEING ARRESTED OR TICKETED OR SOMETHING OF THAT NICK, WHAT ARE THE AGENCY'S OVERALL GOALS HERE?

WELL, THEY HAVE A LOT OF METRICS THAT THEY PROVIDED A SEAT HE IS LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SHELTERING ON THE SYSTEM.

THAT NUMBER COMES FROM THE ANNUAL POINT-IN-TIME COUNT OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GETTING PLACED IN A SHELTER OR IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

MORE BROADLY, JUST THE OVERALL NUMBER OF ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN OUTREACH WORKERS AND FOLKS SHELTERING ON THE SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, FEEDBACK FROM CTA CUSTOMERS.

WE HEARD THAT CLEARLY A CONCERN FOR THE AGENCY, BUT THEY NOTED THAT THIS IS THE FIRST FULL WINTER OF THE PILOT PROGRAM.

SO RIGHT NOW, THEIR MAIN FOCUS IS ON THE OVERALL ENGAGEMENT, MAKING SURE TEAMS ARE OUT THERE DOING THIS WORK REGULARLY.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE SET NUMBERS THEY COULD PROVIDE FOR THOSE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF METRICS.

YET THEY SAID THE ULTIMATE GOAL, THOUGH, IS GOING TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ACROSS ALL THOSE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

ALL RIGHT.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS POLICY HERE, NICK BLOOMBERG AND RACHEL HINTON VERY WELL DONE.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

AND NEXT TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ON THE FRONT LINES WORKING WITH THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS.

>> HOMELESSNESS HAS RISEN TO RECORD LEVELS UNITED STATES, AS WE'VE MENTIONED, THAT INCLUDES CHICAGO AND ACROSS ILLINOIS.

AND WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES ROUGHLY 12,000 PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS ON AN AVERAGE NIGHT LAST YEAR, HOMELESS ADVOCATES SAY THE NUMBERS ARE MUCH GREATER.

THIS AS CHICAGO VOTERS PREPARE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO INCREASE TAXES ON SALES OF HIGH-END HOMES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO HELP FUND HOMELESS PREVENTION HAS HEATHER JUST REPORTED AND JOINING US WITH THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T IN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS ARE CAROL SHARP PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NIGHT MINISTRY AND DOUG FRASER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE, BOTH ARE NONPROFITS SERVING THE HOMELESS.

WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

SO WE SHOULD GET THIS SORT OF DISCREPANCY AGAINST CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS.

PUTS THE NUMBER AT 68,000.

AS WE'VE MENTIONED, WHY?

WHY DOES THAT THE CENSUS?

BUT THE NUMBERS SO MUCH LOWER.

WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I MEAN, I THINK WE KNOW THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BEING IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS.

>> DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S OFTEN TIMES DIFFICULT FOR US TO TO REALLY GET ACCURATE SENSE IS GIVEN THAT THIS UNSTABLE SITUATION.

AND SO WE RELY ON ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE COALITION TO REALLY SUPPORT US AND GETTING THOSE ACCURATE CERTAINLY HAVE INTERVIEWED A LOT OF FOLKS SAY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, LOTS OF COUCH SURFING OR FOLKS STAYING AT THEIR FRIENDS ARE AT THEIR RELATIVES AND >> AND THAT SORT OF IS FACTORED INTO THE CHICAGO COALITION THAT DOUG FRASER, WE'RE HEARING NOW, MORE OF A KIND OF HOUSING FIRST APPROACH, PUTTING MORE FOLKS INTO SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ISSUES.

IS THAT THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?

ABSOLUTELY.

IF WE LOOK AT PROBABLY TO THE CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT DO IT BEST.

SALT LAKE CITY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.

THEY EMPHASIZE THAT THEY EMPHASIZE 2 THINGS, ONE HOUSING FIRST GETTING PEOPLE INSIDE AND THEN ADDRESSING THE PAPERWORK AND THE OTHER ISSUES.

AND SECOND, A PERSONAL APPROACH TO GETTING TO KNOW THESE GUYS MUCH LIKE NIGHT MINISTRY DOES GOING OUT CONNECTING WITH THEM KNOWING IF THEY'RE READY TO GO INTO HOUSING IN THE MAKING A GOOD FIT THAT IS MORE SUCCESSFUL, THEN WE ARE USING AN ALGORITHM AND A SET OF STANDARDS TO GO INTO A COMPUTER.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH MATTERS GOING BACK TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTION.

THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE HERE, WHICH IS THE CITY OF CHICAGO MEASURES HOMELESSNESS WITH H M I S WHICH IS A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT MAINTAINS A BASE OF ABOUT 12,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTED AS HOMELESS BY THE HAS A DIFFERENT NUMBER.

AFTER CAROL'S POINT, THE COALITION HAS A DIFFERENT NUMBER.

DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DEFINE IT.

SO OBVIOUSLY A DISCREPANCY IN NUMBERS, BUT THE COALITION, IT'S PRETTY STRONG ON THAT.

YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THE FOLKS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, HOLING UP WITH WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS OR OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WOULD THE BRING CHICAGO HOME ORDINANCE IF VOTERS WERE TO PASS THAT WITH THIS REALLY PUT A DENT IN THE PROBLEM WOULD GET PEOPLE SUBSIDIZE HOUSING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT EARLIER NUMBER OVER 68,000 PEOPLE IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS.

WE KNOW THIS PROPORTION UTLEY NOT ONLY PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT THERE ARE 20,000 CPS STUDENTS WHO ALSO IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS.

AND SO THIS STEP TOWARD US BEING ABLE TO REALLY TAX USING THAT TRANSFER TAX AS AN OPTION TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO PURCHASING HOMES OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.

I'VE BEEN ABLE CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A BUDGET AROUND SOLVING HOMELESSNESS.

ISSUES IS VITALLY IMPORTANT IN ORDER FOR US TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

THAT PHRASE, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT IF THIS DOES PASS, THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO GO, WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO, THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED THE RIGHT SO FIRST.

>> I THINK THE PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT AND MAKE SURE THAT IT THAT IS CHICAGO HAS A HISTORY OF TRYING TO BUILD ITS WAY OUT OF THIS IN TERMS OF BRICKS AND MORTAR AND CREATING UNITS.

THERE'S A SUBSET OF PEOPLE FOR THAT FOR HOME THAT IS ESSENTIAL.

THERE IS A MUCH LARGER PORTION THAT THERE ARE OTHER APPROACHES THAT ARE MORE COST EFFICIENT.

HERE'S A SIMPLE EXAMPLE.

ALL CHICAGO WHO IS STRONGLY BEHIND US HAS AN EMERGENCY FUND.

THEY SPENT 35 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2022, THEY HELP 7,000 PEOPLE STAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

IF WE GO TO THE CURRENT MODELS, TAKE 35 MILLION DOLLARS AND JUST BUILD UNITS AT.

SOUTH BY INVEST SOUTH WAS A CALL SOUTH-SOUTHWEST WHERE THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A UNIT WAS OVER $500,000.

YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO GET 70 UNITS AND I'M NOT ARGUING AGAINST UNIT.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THEM FOR SOME PEOPLE.

BUT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN BE HELPED BY INVESTING IN THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES BY PREVENTION, AS OPPOSED TO TRIAGE AFTER THEY END UP SUBSIDIZING THE HOUSING THAT THERE ARE ALREADY IN RIGHT CAROL SHARPLY MENTIONED 35,000 GIVE OR TAKE MORE POSSIBLY TO COME.

HOW'S THAT EXACERBATED CHICAGO'S HOMELESS SITUATION?

>> WELL, I MEAN, WE WE ONLY HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE HOMELESS, OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSECURITY RIGHT NOW.

AND SO WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER BOTH MEDICAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THAT'S WHAT PROVIDES SURVIVAL RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THERE ALSO GAPS AND AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND OUR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH YOU KNOW, HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT HE MIGHT BE FACING.

SO IT'S CERTAINLY IMPACTING OUR RESOURCES AND WE NEED TO PLANT DAN FRAZIER.

YEAH, THAT THE MIGRANTS.

>> SO THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS THAT MATTER HERE.

ONE IS THERE IS DISPLACEMENT GOING ON.

IT'S JUST A FACT.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE SERVE A MEAL AT 7.21 NORTH WEST SHELF.

THAT'S THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES BUILDING.

WE USED TO SERVE 12250 HOMELESS TONIGHT.

NOW WE'RE SERVING 60 TO 70 HOMELESS AS MANY AS 200 TO 250 MIGRANTS.

THAT MEANS THAT THOSE HOMELESS, IT USED TO COME TO THAT MEAL AND ACCESS THOSE RESOURCES CAN'T GET IT.

THE SECOND IMPORTANT IMPORTANT POINT TO REALIZE IS THAT THEY ARE ALREADY IN THE SHELTER SYSTEM THAT SERVES CHICAGO.

AND SO THERE ARE MIGRANTS IN THAT SYSTEM AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

WE DON'T TURN.

NO ONE SHOULD BE TURNED AWAY WHEN THEY'RE IN NEED.

BUT IT ALSO DISPLACES CHICAGOANS.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU MAY BE SEEING MORE PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS AND ON THE STREET.

WE ALREADY HAVE A DEFICIT OF SHELTER WE LOST 40% OF OUR BEDS IN THE LAST DECADE.

AND AT THIS POINT WITH THE EXTRA POPULATION COMING IN, IT'S EVEN MORE OF A BURDEN IT, VERY QUICKLY.

ONE MORE REASON WHY THERE MIGHT BE MORE FOLKS CAMPUS.

>> O HARE NO LONGER CAN HOUSE HOMELESS HOMELESS WERE STAYING AT O'HARE.

THE CITY STOPPED TO AGREE WITH THAT THAT THE THE CITY PUT AN END TO THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE NEED ACCESS TO AS MANY RESOURCES AS POSSIBLE.

AND SO IF WE'RE GOING TO STOP INDIVIDUALS FROM USING THAT THE AIRPORT AS HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

WE NEED TO CREATE AN ALTERNATE OPTION.

DOUG, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK IT WAS POINTLESS AND CRUEL TO PUT THEM OUT.

THEY ENDED UP ON THE CTA.

>> AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

I WANT TO ADD ONE OTHER POINT OF WHAT COULD BE DONE NOW TO ADDRESS THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MIGRANT HOUSING STREAM THERE OR SOMETHING OVER 14,500 UNITS CREATED AND THERE ARE ONLY 12,000 SOME UNITS BEING USED RIGHT NOW.

THAT MEANS THERE'S A LAG IN THE SYSTEM.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO PLAY, WE'RE GOING TO VALUE EACH PERSON EQUALLY AND WE NEED TO BE MOVING HOMELESS, WHO WANT TO COME INSIDE INTO THOSE BEDS IN THAT STREAM AS WELL SO THE CITY IS GOING TO BRING THESE TOGETHER.

BUT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING THAT IN THE SPRING.

KNOW, DO IT NOW AND GET THESE PEOPLE INSIDE ADMINISTERING.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE ASSUMING THIS ORDINANCE PASSES, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN MARCH.

>> MY THANKS TO CAROL SHARPEN DOUG FRASER.

THANK YOU SO THANK AND FOR MUCH OF THE CHICAGO AREA'S HOMELESS POPULATION HOME IS A CAUGHT IN A ROOM SHARED WITH STRANGERS.

COOK COUNTY IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

IT RECENTLY FUNDED TO HOTELS THAT OFFER LONGER-TERM APARTMENT STYLE LIVING PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, PRIVACY AND STABILITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STUDENTS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S MEDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

WE EXPLORE WHAT THIS RESPONSE MEANS FOR COOK COUNTY.

HERE'S DEAL.

PROFESSOR AVA THOMPSON GREENWELL >> WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE.

AND 62 YEAR-OLD MAURICE BUTLER HAS SPENT ABOUT 20 YEARS LIVING ON THE STREET.

YOU KNOW, MY BODY IS TIRED.

MY MIND IS TIGHT WHEN HE WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL KIDNEY AND PROSTATE CANCER.

HE SAYS HE KNEW HE NEEDED TO FIND A MORE PERMANENT AND PRIVATE PLACE TO STAY AND MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE MY LIFE.

3 BEEN A BUST OF GETTING ONE EYE OPEN APARTMENTS WITH ONE EYE OPEN YOU KNOW, WANT TO CLOSE.

>> HERE YOU CAN CLOSE EYES AND YOU CAN BY THE RESCUE.

COULD TAKE A SHOWER.

YOU CAN YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> EVANSTON, SMART CURRY TO END, WHICH IS INTERIM HOUSING RUN BY THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS BUTLER WAS OFFERED A TEMPORARY HOME COOL THERE.

>> SAYING WE HAVE GOT TO GET THESE FOLDABLE POPULATIONS BUTLER'S TIME AT THE MARGARITA IN IS A COMPLETE ONE.

80 FROM HIS PREVIOUS SHELTER EXPERIENCES DISPLACES.

>> IT'S NOTHING.

NOTHING LIKE THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, PUTTING OUT AT 5 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

I MEAN, 5 O'CLOCK ON A SUNDAY MORNING WHEN YOU GO ROPE AND YOU CAN GO TO TERMS 5 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

SO YOU GOT TO WALK THE STREETS.

>> THE MARGARITA ONE OF 2 HOTELS BOUGHT BY COOK COUNTY FUNDING.

THE COST NEARLY 14 MILLION DOLLARS A MOVE NIETO POLAR US FROM CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS SAYS IT'S WORKING AND IT'S SHOWING THAT IT'S MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL.

>> SO PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND THAT CONGREGATE SETTING ABOUT 40% OF THE FOLKS THAT WE WORKED WITH WOULD EXIT AND 02:00AM A STABLE HOUSING SITUATION.

HERE.

THE MARGARITA, 70% OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE EVER COME THROUGH HERE EXIT INTO A STABLE HOUSING POSITION.

>> THE HOTELS WERE ORIGINALLY USED AS TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY THEY ARE TURNING OUT TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EFFECTIVE.

THEN A TRADITIONAL SHELTER APPROACH.

NOW FAMILIES CAN STAY INTACT.

AND AGAIN, REALLY FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS YOU KNOW, MOVING AGAIN TO THAT NEXT DESTINATION.

THE RIGHT IN OAK PARK IS THE SECOND HOTEL PURCHASE WITH COUNTY FUNDS.

THE NONPROFIT HOUSING FORWARD RUNS IT.

WE'RE PROVIDING THEM WITH THAT STABLE WAS A SHUN THAT THEY NEED.

THERE'S THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY OF BEING ABLE TO SHUT YOUR DOOR AND HAVE A LEVEL OF PRIVACY.

BOTH FORMER HOTELS FEATURE SEMI PRIVATE ROOMS, 3 MEALS A DAY AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

PRIORITIZING PRIVACY INDEPENDENCE.

THAT'S OUR MAIN GOAL LINE.

WE JUST WANT.

>> FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR OUR KIDS AND A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM GROW UP AND THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BASICALLY ACCESS TO THESE FEATURES AT THE RIGHT END HELP JONELLE WITH FIELDS, FAMILY.

>> WHEN HER PARTNER LOST HIS JOB 3 CHILDREN AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY SHE SAYS BEING ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE WAS CRUCIAL.

I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS AND ESPECIALLY YOUNGER KIDS IS VERY HIGH.

>> SO HERE YOU HAVE A BIT OF A PEACE OF MIND, A BIT OF A PIECE HOME.

>> THESE SERVICES INCLUDE ON SITE MEDICAL CARE, ACCESS TO A LIFE SKILLS COORDINATOR AND CASE WORKERS HELPING TO LOWER THE BARRIERS TO PERMANENT HOUSING TRICIA FREEMAN IS A LIFE SKILLS COORDINATOR AT THE MARGARITA IN.

>> FOR THE LIVE COURT NATIVE.

FIRST TO COME IN AND AND SAY.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE WELCOME.

YOU MATTER.

AND THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HERE >> COOK COUNTY USED AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR BOTH PROJECTS.

>> WEEPING IN CHURCH BASEMENTS BETTER THAN BEING ON THE STREET.

HOWEVER.

SO IT'S NOBODY WOULD CHOOSE.

THAT IS IF THEY HAD OTHER CHOICES.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A MORE TRADITIONAL HOUSING.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEIR TRUCK STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.

>> THE SERVICE COORDINATORS FROM BOTH ORGANIZATIONS SAY THEY EXPECT THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH TO LEAD TO MORE LONG-TERM SUCCESS.

>> YOU CAN SLEEP PEACEFULLY HAVE A PEACE OF MIND.

FOR WTW NEWS AND NORTHWESTERN'S MEDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM.

BUT AN >> A CELEBRATION LAST WEEK THE COUNTY SAID NO INTEREST FORGIVABLE LOAN FROM COOK COUNTY WAS THE FOUNDATION FOR SECURING FINANCING FOR THE MARGARITA PURCHASE BY CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS.

THE EVANSTON CITY COUNCIL ISSUED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ONGOING USE OF THE MARGARITA IN AS A SHELTER.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN WATCH FIRSTHAND DOCUMENTARIES DETAILING PERSONAL STORIES OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS LOOKING MORE DEEPLY INTO THE ISSUE THAT'S AT WWW DOT COM SLASH FIRSTHAND.

AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10.

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT WDW NEWS, I'M PARIS SHOTS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, A CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH THAT SUPPORTS