Housing Resources

If you are experiencing a housing emergency (24/7)

Call Chicago City Services at 311 or (312) 744-5000. If you are homeless and need immeditate shelter, inform the operator for assistance.

Assistance from the Wellness Center

During regular business hours, the Wellness Center can help connect you to emergency, supportive, and longer-term subsidized housing. For persons seeking to move into longer-term, supportive or subsidized housing, the journey can be challenging. However, it’s important to develop a plan, to be persistent, and to submit applications even if you encounter waitlists. Your Wellness Center counselor can help you develop such a plan, understand different housing options, and work through problems encountered on the way.
 

To make an appointment, walk in to your College’s Wellness Center or call ahead to make an appointment.

Find your College’s Wellness Center

 

Assistance from the City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support Community Service Centers

The City operates six Community Service Centers, open 9 am to 5 pm. City residents who need assistance can drop in or schedule an appointment in advance at one of the six Community Services Centers. Visitors participate in an initial assessment to identify their needs. DFSS Community Service Centers help individuals and families in need access a wide range of resources from shelter, food and clothing to domestic violence assistance, job training/placement and services for the formerly incarcerated. Clients can also get information about rental, utility and other financial assistance programs. The facilities serve as Warming and Cooling Centers during periods of extreme weather. For locations: DFSS Community Service Centers

Chicago Area Emergency, Supportive, and Subsidized Housing Resources

This list does not provide a comprehensive list of available resources but does offer a good place to start. Also, try an online search for topics such as "housing resources and Chicago," or "supportive housing and Chicago."his list does not provide a comprehensive list of available resources but does offer a good place to start. Also, try an online search for topics such as "housing resources and Chicago," or "supportive housing and Chicago."
 
Chicago Homeless Shelter Directory

City of Chicago Department of Family Services and Support Community Services

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Law Project:  Find legal assistance and housing resources for youth and young adults.   PDF of housing resources for homeless youth and young adults

City of Chicago Affordable Rental Housing Resource List
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/affordable_rentalhousingresourcelist.html

Chicago Housing Authority:  Find housing, programs and services.

Chicago Housing Authority:  Information and application for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

Chicago Trust Fund Low-Income Housing Resources Director

Illinois Department of Human Services Housing Resource:  Find emergency and transitional housing

ILHousingSearch.org:  Find low-income rental housing

Chicago Housing Options Survey Tool: Find affordable housing resources

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA):  Find apartments and rental assistance

The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL):  Find independent living resources for persons with disabilities

Direct2Housing:  Housing resource directory with sophisticated search feature

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Centers:  Find free food; shelter; job training; and financial, rental and utility assistance.

HOW:  Supportive housing for women

Chicago Central Referral System Assessment Tool:  Short-term and supportive housing for the homselss or persons living in a shelter

 
Teen Living Programs:  Emergency and supportive housing for youth and young adults

El Rascate Basic Center and Transitional Living:  Supportive housing for LGBTQI Latino and African American youth and young adults