As we say goodbye to 2021 I would like to take a moment to reflect on this past year.
There is no doubt that 2021 has been one of the most challenging years we have collectively faced in a long time. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and changed us all, yet you have remained steadfast in your commitment to providing quality services and housing to those in need throughout your communities.
SHPA has remained dedicated to our work, whether it is our state and federal advocacy to increase the resources for the development of supportive housing and/or the supportive services, creating program or systemic change, building provider capacity through our training & technical assistance program, or engaging residents in storytelling and advocacy through our Resident Leadership & Empowerment program we have stood there right with you and offered whatever support we could and to let you know that we have your back. We are committed to our collective successes.
As the Supportive Housing Providers Association enters a new year of service that includes Advocacy, Training & Technical Assistance, and Resident Leadership to our member organizations, we would like to take this opportunity to tell you about our accomplishments in 2021 and all that you on-going support has meant to us and to our success.
2021 accomplishments:
Appropriation of $28 million for Supportive Housing Services from the State & Fiscal American Rescue Plan funding in the FY2022 State budget, bringing our annual total to $70 million. This would not have been possible without your support and participation.
After years of advocacy, we realized the creation of the Interagency Task Force on Ending Homelessness and the Community Advisory Council through Executive Order by Governor Pritzker. This is a game changer for the State of Illinois and our efforts in ending homelessness.
$5 billion in new funding specifically to reduce homelessness with more than $21.5 billion to replenish the emergency rental assistance fund and $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers.
The establishment of the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program and $10 million in appropriations to create a pathway of housing stability for persons with serious mental illness and/or addiction, experiencing homelessness or exiting institutions reducing recidivism and further institutionalization.
COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act, sealing evictions that happened during COVID-19 and ensuring individuals and families are about access rent relief with limited barriers.
Passage of the federal Omnibus Bill to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.
Decriminalization of HIV, repealing the harmful and outdated HIV criminalization laws and treat HIV like any other chronic illness using proven and effective public health strategies.
Expansion of VASH eligibility to provide benefits to veterans discharged from service for other than honorable discharge.
Dimension of Quality & Evidence Based Practice series of trainings
We Welcome Back our returning Board Members, Lore Baker, Johnna Lowe, Millicent Ntiamoah, and Andrea Chatman, and New Board Members Cathy Jordan, Executive Director, De La Cerda House, Rock Island and Marketta Sims, Resident Leader
Annual Advocacy for increased resources for supportive services at both the state and federal level of government.
Other 2022 Legislative Priorities as determined by the membership. (visit www.shpa-il.org for details)
Working with and advising the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness
Forming stakeholder advisory groups to inform the Community Advisory Council
2022 Training Series, including Dimensions of Quality, Evidence-Based Practices, SOAR Training Co-horts, State Referral Network (SRN) & Grant Accountability & Transparency Act (GATA) Trainings and more. (visit www.shpa-il.org for details)
Working with our advocate partners on state issues concerning Workforce Improvements, Source of Income Discrimination, Public Health Benefits (TANF Reform), Build Homes State Tax Credits and Federal programs such as Build Back Better, House America, Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, Housing is Infrastructure, and Home & Community Based Service Expansion.
Our future success depends on your financial support. Yet beyond financial support, we also want you to be active in our work including advocating for supportive housing. We need your expertise, your perspective, and your passion, JOIN A COMMITTEE or Work Group.
If you are a member your membership and participation are the primary reasons for the Association’s success. We look forward to your continued support and partnership with us!
If you are not a member you should consider joining this strong network of providers, developers, residents, and advocates TODAY !!! contact Executive Director, David Esposito at d.esposito@shpa-il.org.
WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING !!!
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Have you started shopping for your Holiday Gifts?
Shop on Amazon Smile and choose SHPA as your organization. As your charitable organization of choice SHPA will receive a donation of 5% of your purchase on Amazon Smile select merchandise. Here is a link that will take you directly to SHPA'ssmile.amazon.compage.
HAPPY SHOPPING & THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION !
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Experts call on Illinois to do more to address homelessness in rural areas
Experts in homelessness and health are calling on Illinois to make changes to better serve the homeless in rural areas. A lack of data makes it difficult to determine the extent of the problem.
Among the chronically unhoused, many people are dealing with mental or physical health challenges that require additional services. Merridith Montgomery, with the Supportive Housing Providers Association, said that on top of that, homelessness is also a form of trauma.
"So supportive services is very critical to people who are experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is a trauma, going through the systems is challenging, and supportive services at any level is important," she said.
Montgomery said the emphasis should be on a housing first model, which gets people into housing first, and then works to connect them with other services they may need.
The SIU Center on Rural Medicine and Social Service Development is recommending that Illinois form a state-wide a task force dedicated to rural homelessness to better understand how prevalent it is, and for a pilot program using rural community care centers that would link healthcare and housing with other social services.
SHPA TRAINING CENTER
SHOW YOUR WORK
"If It is Not Documented, It Didn't Happen"
Are you a Supportive Housing Provider or an IDHS Supportive Housing Grantee and need a refresher or maybe you have new staff that needs training on documenting services and using the IDHS Homeless Services Reporting portal? SHPA is here for you!!
Contact either David Esposito at d.esposito@shpa-il.org or Susan Day at S.Day@shpa-il.org to schedule a training with your agency today. This training is FREE to SHPA members and IDHS Supportive Housing grantees.
Statewide Referral Network (SRN)
Basic End User Training
Learn about the Statewide Referral Network (SRN), ILHousingSearch.org, how to access the online PAIR (Prescreening, Assessment, Intake, and Referral) Module, and how to add/maintain applications on behalf of eligible customers for units that are available through the SRN and Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Programs.
Ensure that staff providing housing stabilization and support services from social service organizations in Illinois understand the eligibility criteria for and how to access state-provided permanent housing resources on behalf of their customers.
Facilitator: Todd Fuller, Statewide Housing & Employment First Coordinator - bio
Choose A Date:
February 10, 2022 or June 9, 2022
10:00a - 12:00p
The Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund will raise and move at least $10,000,000 over four years to Chicago organizations building and sustaining movements for justice that center Black lives and address anti-Blackness.
The Fund provides unrestricted grants to nonprofits that are Black-led and use grassroots community organizing as a primary strategy. Ally-led community organizing groups addressing anti-Blackness are also considered.
Community organizing in this context means: Building movements and collective power to dismantle the systems, structures, and institutions that are rooted in white supremacy and perpetuate anti-Black violence.
While $10,000,000 is not enough to address the ongoing violence that racial injustice inflicts, this is the first step of many needed toward a more just Chicago.
Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) has begun a second round of rental assistance. Apply online from December 06 through January 09 at Illinois Housing Development Authority
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is available to Illinois households who are unable to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an updated digital toolkit for the program that includes important information on the ILRPP terms and benefits, the application process, required documents, FAQs for housing providers, flyers and more.
