Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability – Addressing Critical Needs Grant

Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability – Addressing Critical Needs Grant
Background
Central to our Critical Needs strategy is the recognition that access to stable, healthy and secure housing is fundamental in paving the way toward economic stability for individuals and families. Understanding the Chicago region’s formidable homelessness challenges, the Trust is offering this funding opportunity aimed at bolstering direct service organizations that provide housing and homeless prevention services.
Need/Opportunity Statement
The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness estimates that 58,625 people experienced homelessness in 2024 – nearly three times higher than the 18,836 individuals counted in the city’s annual Point-in-Time survey. Unlike the Point-in-Time count, this estimate includes people who are doubled-up or living in overcrowded and unstable housing, revealing the broader reality of housing insecurity across Chicago.
Both reports show that homelessness is widespread and disproportionately impacts Black and Latine communities. Black residents make up about 30 percent of Chicago’s population but account for more than 50 percent of those experiencing homelessness. Latine residents also represent about 30 percent of the population and over 90 percent of those living doubled-up.
While Illinois and the City of Chicago have multi-year plans to address homelessness, philanthropic support remains essential. The Chicago Community Trust is committed to providing flexible, multi-year funding to help make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
Priority Strategies & Activities
The Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability RFP will fund programs that support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Grants will support initiatives in two primary categories:

• Prevention:
• Emergency rental assistance and subsidies to help people stay in their homesLegal support for individuals and families facing eviction
• Housing:

Safe emergency shelter that provides healthy meals, healthcare access, and case management to help people move into stable housingTransitional housing with wraparound support, giving residents time to pursue education, job training, and employmentPermanent supportive housing for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilitiesHousing navigation services to reduce barriers and offer culturally and linguistically responsive supportSpecialized housing programs tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable communities, including returning residents, youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of gender-based violence
The ultimate goal is to foster sustainable solutions that promote housing stability and address the root causes of homelessness within the Chicago region.
Goals & Outcomes
The Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability RFP supports the Trust’s 10-year goal of increasing the number of households meeting their basic needs. Progress measures focus on tracking how housing programs help people move from homelessness to stable housing and stay housed, while also capturing the impact of prevention efforts that keep people in their homes.
Grant Amounts Available & Grant Term
These multi-year, general operating grants will span three years. Yearly grant amounts will be between $75,000 and $125,000. The Trust estimates it will make between 20 and 25 grant awards.