View a list of homeless shelters and housing resources (PDF) in Chicago, the South Suburbs, and Cook County.
The South Suburban Cook County Call Center assists with housing referrals and can be reached at 877.426.6515 on Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. The call center provides two types of referrals: Homelessness Prevention (HP) Referrals (rental assistance, security deposit) & Diversion/Short Term Stabilization (STS) Referrals (Non-financially based, case management). To qualify for the HP referrals the individual must have a income and proof of their hardship, (i.e. what prevented them from paying last months rent or proof of why they must move and can't pay forward for security deposit). STS referrals are given to those who do not qualify for HP. However, STS referrals are limited and it is recommended to call early in the day for assistance.
The Illinois Department of Human Services' Homeless Prevention Program provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that individuals and families stay in shelters, and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing. For more information, visit the IDHS website.
The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)'s staff of HUD-certified Housing Counselors are available to assist with foreclosure prevention, pre-purchase, post-purchase, rental counseling, and financial counseling. To schedule a telephone or online counseling session (accessible through a computer or mobile smart phone) please call 312-288-8010 or email housing1@cedaorg.net. For more information, visit cedaorg.net/find-services/housing-services/.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority partners with lenders, developers, local governments, nonprofits, community groups, and others to finance affordable housing across Illinois. They provide financial assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners, offer resources to developers who build or preserve affordable and mixed-income rental housing, and provide oversight for hundreds of affordable rental communities across the state. For more information about services, please visit ihda.org.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published resources to assist individuals who are having trouble paying their rent, utilities, or other housing costs. State and local programs are distributing billions of dollars in rental assistance to help renters stay housed during the pandemic. Visit the CFPB’s Rental Assistance Finder to find out what this means for you and what you can do. The CFPB’s site also includes resources to help renters and landlords understand other resources to help navigate various financial hardships related to the pandemic.