Rooted in Care: Community Partners Are Charting Paths to Housing Stability

Housing instability can significantly impact a person’s health and economic outcomes, including physical, mental and behavioral well-being. Stable housing provides a foundation not only for a person’s well-being but also for economic stability and upward mobility. Without stable housing, individuals may face challenges that include increased risk of chronic diseases, mental health issues, maintaining employment and financial security, all of which can lead to shorter life spans.

In 2024, to address the growing needs of Chicagoans who are or are at risk of being unhoused, The Chicago Community Trust launched the Sustainable Solutions to Housing Stability (SSHS) funding program. In the first year, the program included a cohort of 26 grant partners (24 direct service and two research organizations). Over the past year, direct service organizations provided immediate shelter and basic needs while supporting households in building long-term stability. Supports include emergency shelter, transitional housing, and related services (e.g., meals, hygiene facilities, and case management). These services often act as a bridge to more permanent housing solutions while providing real-time relief and stability for individuals and families in unstable housing situations.

Over the past year, grant recipients shared their successes and challenges through participation in convenings, site visits, and interim reports.

This year’s data show encouraging progress. And while it is a step in the right direction, further commitment by service providers, philanthropy, and government is needed to ensure lasting stability. The 24 grant partners reported supporting 6,684 households in their housing programs over the past year. Of the households receiving housing services, 4,999 (75%) successfully transitioned to permanent, stable housing. The SSHS grant partners are doing remarkable work in a challenging environment, with many attributing their success to the strong relationships they’ve built with their clients.

Grant partners highlighted the importance of a holistic approach that includes wraparound services in addition to housing to support long-term stability and success. Lyte Collective, for example, provides safe, no-time-limit transitional housing to youth through Lytehouse Apartments, along with wraparound services at the LYTE Lounge, a drop-in community center offering meals, supplies, peer connection, creative programming, legal and clinical services, and dedicated space for healing. Similarly, New Moms supports young mothers and their children by integrating paid job training, college success programs, and family services with their housing support. This year, New Moms expanded its career pathways model to include fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and customer service.

Grant partners also discussed the challenges and barriers they face in the provision of services and supports. Across the partners, three areas of challenges were identified: organizational (staffing), systemic (public benefits programs, political pressures), broader economic pressures (lack of affordable housing, rising food costs).

A third of grant partners told us about their experience of navigating staffing shortages and limited internal capacity. Grant partners are hiring dedicated fundraising staff, while others are investing in staff training to improve their overall effectiveness.

“[We have] also invested in our fundraising capacity in the past year in order to ensure sustainability and weather some of these storms.”

SSHS Grant Partner

“[We] are diversifying partnerships, increasing outcome documentation, and strengthening staff capacity to be adaptable and effective in these efforts.”

SSHS Grant Partner

Systemic challenges, including changes to public benefits and funding access are challenging organizations to adapt and evolve. Organizations reported exploring other approaches to providing housing supports and adapting strategic priorities for the upcoming years.

“In response to ongoing uncertainty in the nonprofit and social services landscape, [we are] prioritizing sustainability over growth, an approach that aligns closely with our new four-year strategic plan and is more critical now than ever. Our leadership team is actively developing a contingency plan to navigate potential shifts in funding, regulatory requirements, and the broader cultural climate.”

SSHS Grant Partner

The lack of affordable housing and the rising costs of living continue to hinder clients’ housing stability. A housing provider supporting survivors of domestic violence, reported that a lack of affordable housing has been a barrier in two of its programs over the past year. Another reported it is seeing more families than ever experiencing more barriers to housing stability, including housing shortage and inflation.

“A primary challenge is the lack of affordable housing that participants in both programs face. For the Transitional Housing participants, it is finding housing that they can afford upon exit from the program.”

SSHS Grant Partner

“More than ever, we’re seeing acute crisis needs impacting families who are experiencing an onslaught of barriers: a housing shortage, loneliness epidemic, opioid & violence crises, and inflation.”

SSHS Grant Partner

Despite these challenges, grant partners remain resilient. They’re investing in their people, adapting to the changing funding landscape, and working to expand their philanthropic and fundraising base.

Their efforts reflect their determination and commitment to their clients and communities. The Trust remains deeply committed to supporting the impactful work of our SSHS grant partners and continues to support their efforts in the upcoming year.