Homelessness

Approximately three to five percent of the general population has a severe mental illness, and many of these individuals are homeless. Of those counted in a 2004 one-night census of the homeless in Chicagoland, roughly one-third—more than 3,000 individuals—were found to suffer from a mental illness.

Housing Options has responded to this need by providing Residential Programs designated for the formerly homeless and chronically homeless, thus providing a long-term solution to homelessness. More than half of Housing Options' residents were homeless prior to their involvement with the agency.

Our Homes for the Homeless Initiatives (HHI) include two of our six buildings and two scattered-site apartment programs.

Of our six agency owned buildings, two are designated for individuals recovering from mental illnesses who have been homeless. These include Ganey House and Claire House.

The Pathways scattered-site apartment programs—Pathways and Pathways Plus—are also designated for individuals who were previously homeless.

“You move in and everything is there for you – cookware, rugs on the floor, paintings on the walls, dishes, everything…You’re just ready to live.” — Anonymous, Pathways Resident