United Way of Metro Chicago Response Fund Awards $250,000 to Housing and Homelessness Prevention Programs

With housing requests to 211 Metro Chicago up 56%, the fund awarded 20 grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to direct service providers addressing housing and homelessness prevention in the Chicago region.

CHICAGO, Ill. - May 5, 2026 – Today, United Way of Metro Chicago announced the disbursement of $250,000 from its Response Fund to immediately address housing and homelessness prevention across the Chicago region. The funds, awarded as a set of 20 grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, went to established direct service providers across Chicago, suburban Cook County and DuPage County specifically addressing housing and homelessness prevention—urgent needs identified by real-time 211 Metro Chicago data.

“We’re seeing a sharp rise in calls to 211 Metro Chicago for housing support as instability grows for direct service providers and gaps widen in the local safety net,” said Sean Garrett, President and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago. “Response grants are a critical part of our strategy to ensure every individual and family can meet their basic needs—addressing urgent crises through the Response Fund, sustaining more than 130 nonprofits through impact grants, connecting residents to help through 2-1-1 and using that data to guide smarter investments.”

United Way of Metro Chicago launched the Response Fund in the fall of 2025 to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations addressing urgent and emerging needs in the region as identified by data collected through 211 Metro Chicago, the free, 24/7 social services helpline for residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County. The first round, awarded in November 2025, supported food security amid the federal government shutdown and pause of SNAP benefits. This second round of grants addresses urgent needs around emergency shelter, rent assistance, mortgage assistance, utility assistance and eviction prevention.

The 20 organizations receiving Response Fund grants are:

• All Chicago Making Homelessness History

• BEDS Plus

• Breakthrough Urban Ministries

• Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

• Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet

• Claretian Associates

• Cornerstone Community Development Corporation

• DuPage PADS

• Family Rescue

• Featherfist

• HANA Center

• Housing Forward

• The Inner Voice, Inc.

• Journeys the Road Home

• Law Center for Better Housing

• Lawndale Christian Development Corporation

• Legal Aid Chicago

• Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division

• Spanish Coalition for Housing

• The Resurrection Project

Like many communities across the country, the Chicago region is experiencing a housing crisis driven by historical disinvestment, rising costs, a shortage of affordable units, policy changes and declining public investment, among other factors. Housing-related requests to the 2-1-1 helpline increased 56% year over year, in April 2026 compared to April 2025, with the highest concentrations coming from Chicago neighborhoods already facing high rent burden, displacement pressure and income disruption. By April 2026, requests for housing support accounted for more than half—65%—of all needs identified through 2-1-1 each month.

“We are seeing more households come to us in crisis—families who have never needed help before are now facing eviction, shutoff notices or a sudden loss of income,” said Angela Hurlock, CEO of Claretian Associates. “In response, we are expanding rapid prevention support and strengthening our connections to landlords and community partners so we can intervene earlier and keep people housed. United Way of Metro Chicago’s Response Fund grant provides the fast, flexible dollars we need to meet urgent basic needs and stabilize families before a short-term setback becomes homelessness.”

The United Way of Metro Chicago Response Fund is generously supported by the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, the Resilient Chicago Fund – The Chicago Community Trust and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, The Steans Family Foundation and individual donors.

About United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of Metro Chicago brings together business, government, philanthropic, individual and community leaders to deliver funding and resources while amplifying the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We help individuals meet their basic needs and work alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive. United, we are building a stronger Chicago region. Visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org to learn more.

About 211 Metro Chicago
211 Metro Chicago is a 24/7/365 helpline connecting Cook County residents to health and social service resources. 211 Metro Chicago is operated by United Way of Metro Chicago and launched with support from the City of Chicago, Cook County, philanthropic partners and the 211 Metro Chicago Advisory and Executive Boards composed of business, civic, charitable and social service organizations. United Way of Metro Chicago mobilizes private, philanthropic and public sector support to help individuals meet their basic needs and works to support transformation in neighborhoods across the Chicago region. Visit 211MetroChicago.org 211MetroChicago.org to connect with these resources.

Media Contact
Kris Adamik, 312.906.2291, kris.adamik@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org