We believe that housing is a basic human right.
We know that ending homelessness is possible.
Since our founding in 1992, these beliefs have been the bedrock of Housing Forward’s mission and continuous evolution. Over the last 33 years, we have adapted, innovated and developed a range of solutions to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of homelessness.
Today, we address homelessness and housing insecurity at all levels with comprehensive, wrap-around support from the onset of a financial or housing crisis to its resolution, preventing homelessness whenever possible, and providing permanent, stable housing for the most vulnerable members of our community.
The global pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to an already fraught housing system and compelled us to adapt swiftly. We reimagined our service model to ensure that everyone who turned to us for help could receive the assistance they needed. We created new and highly impactful services, expanded our reach and added new locations within the 26 communities we serve. As a result, our operating budget increased by 235% and our staff more than doubled in size, all of which led us to an important turning point.
To take significant strides toward a future we know is possible, we are launching our first-ever capital campaign: FORWARD, Building Community Without Homelessness. This campaign will invest in two important pillars — Our Community and Our Future — that will allow us to sustain and accelerate the critical work we have done over the last several years. We have the comprehensive program model and compassionate people ready to do this work. And now we need your help to sustain our momentum to keep moving forward.
We invite you to join us in building a future without homelessness.
Lynda Schueler,
Chief Executive Officer
Housing Forward
Camile Lindsay Kumi,
Board President
Housing Forward
Housing Forward’s Impact
Housing Forward is the leading provider of services for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in west suburban Cook County. We believe that building a community without homelessness means addressing housing crisis at all levels, from its onset to its permanent resolution. In 2024, we assisted more than 2,500 unhoused and housing insecure individuals. Each year our services make remarkable impact, including these outcomes (2024 stats):
73%
of unhoused people who engaged with our Street Outreach Team began case management services
173
unhoused people received 5,692 nights of Emergency Overnight Shelter accommodations
73%
of Medical Respite participants reached full medical recuperation
$1,990
average per household financial assistance provided to stave off eviction through our Homeless Prevention Program
75%
of Interim Housing participants exited to a positive housing destination
92%
of Permanent Supportive Housing participants retained their housing
Homelessness in 2024
Across the U.S., a total of 771,480 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, which is the highest ever recorded and an 18.1% increase over 2023.* In the same timeframe, homelessness increased by 12.5% in suburban Cook County. Housing Forward’s Street Outreach Team encountered 18% more people experiencing homelessness and living on the street in the western suburbs.
The Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness found that 4,604 shelter (emergency + transitional) beds** are needed to reach statewide functional zero homelessness by the end of 2025. Functional zero is the point where the homeless services system can prevent homelessness whenever possible and ensure that when homelessness does occur, it is rare, brief, and one-time.
* HUD 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
** Home Illinois: Illinois’ Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness; October 2024