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Lake County’s homeless stats a call to action
On Tuesday, Lake County announced that the number of people experiencing homelessness within the county has reached the highest level ever recorded. The homeless point-in-time count shows a 60% increase in the number of people in emergency shelters, and a 150% increase in people sleeping outside.
It’s sad, unsettling news. It should also provide a jolt to anyone and everyone who cares about the future of our community.
At its core, homelessness is about housing. Rents are rising far faster than incomes. Pandemic-era rental assistance and eviction protections have evaporated. And there are not enough housing units to accommodate those seeking rental housing. It should be no surprise that homelessness is on the rise in these conditions.
So, what do we need to create thriving communities where people have safe, affordable housing? We need more housing appropriate to the needs of the households falling into homelessness, and we need upgraded services and facilities for those experiencing homelessness in Lake County.
Currently, most homeless shelters are provided in traditional hotel rooms. This is a temporary pandemic measure that is costly and insufficient to meet the long-term need. The goal of upgrading facilities is to provide a temporary, but urgently needed place where people can stay, receive consistent on-site support and work on a plan for securing a permanent place to live.
In too many cases, we have the funding and providers to build needed facilities and housing, but we lack viable sites due to restrictive zoning and community pushback. It is time to ask ourselves the question: Do we want to fight the solutions and pay the price of growing homelessness, or do we want to lean into proven solutions and building inclusive communities?
The county’s homelessness statistics announcement should be a catalyst for meaningful change. Together we can lead the way for Illinois and the nation to turn the tide of homelessness. There’s no better time than now.
Margarita Garcia, vice president, Lake County Coalition for the Homeless