Pritzker, state leaders hope budget investment can address racial disparities in homelessness

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $250 million plan to address homelessness during Fiscal Year 2025. The potential investment would be a $50 million boost from current funding for Pritzker's monumental Home Illinois plan.

Illinois leaders want to increase access to affordable and permanent supportive housing, enhance support services and close the gaps that disproportionately impact Black people. A new report released by the UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy found Black Illinoisans are roughly 8 times more likely to experience homelessness than white people.

"Illinois has the second highest Black-white racial disparity in homelessness in the country," said Christine Haley, the Chief Homelessness Officer for Illinois. "We need to reflect wholly on that reality and utilize it to strengthen our collective will and resolve to close the disparity."

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The next phase of the Home Illinois plan includes $35 million for court-based rental assistance and $2 million for legal aid to help people in eviction court. Pritzker hopes lawmakers will also approve $13 million to reduce racial disparities in homelessness. The governor explained this funding could create pilot new programs to lift up formerly incarcerated people and foster youth and provide wraparound services.

"Our approach understands that homelessness is not an issue of personal failing, but of historical discrimination and structural barriers that have driven inequality for Black families across the nation and, of course, right here in Illinois," Pritzker said.

Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said Illinois must acknowledge and confront these systemic barriers head-on to truly tackle Black homelessness. Sims and other top budget negotiators know Home Illinois funding should be a top priority for years to come.

Illinois homelessness — Homeless shelters such as these can currently be outlawed by local governments
Mike Miletich

"Our response cannot be limited to policy changes alone," Sims noted. "We must recognize the importance of community-driven solutions and grassroots initiatives that uplift and empower those most effected by homelessness."

State lawmakers will introduce the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the final days of session. They will need to pass the budget out of both chambers before lawmakers adjourn for the summer on May 24.

"When we think about the harms of racial segregation and redlining, we can draw the lines to the realities of homelessness," Haley said. "When we talk about the harms of the racial wealth gap and the disparities of home ownership, we should talk about homelessness in the same breath."