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Each year, we assist thousands of individuals and families who come to us from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Their stories illustrate the complexity of housing crisis and homelessness, and how delivering solution-focused personalized support services ensures vulnerable community members thrive.

There is no one "face" or one cause of homelessness. The people we assist are a diverse group of individuals and families who have one thing in common: they have experienced a catastrophic housing or financial crisis. Often, that crisis is precipitated and/or complicated by a physical disability, chronic health condition, or behavioral health disorder, conditions that are exacerbated by the lack of access to proper care and resources.

Here are a few of their stories.

Nanette 2026
Nanette had been unhoused for seven years when she entered Stroger Hospital for a severe recurring infection that put...
Garrick 2026
When Garrick first connected with Housing Forward, he was sleeping outside a Home Depot in Elmwood Park. Like many...
Shirelle 2026
In November 2023, Shirelle experienced a life-changing loss—her oldest son, Tramon, was shot and killed while delivering...
Cach 2026
At age 23, after leaving a domestic violence situation, Cach moved in with her mother. However, the stability she hoped...
justinclient
Meet Justin, a veteran and former combat medic with the Illinois National Guard. Following his honorable discharge in...
Stanley
After more than three decades working in accounting and data entry, Stan took an early retirement to move back into his...