Over 2,500 individuals contact HOW each year looking for assistance in a housing crisis. We refer them to resources to help them stay in their homes, find temporary shelter, or be added to Chicago’s Coordinated Entry System, which begins the process to enter supportive housing. HOW also provides crisis case management to approximately 600 households annually who are in danger of losing their housing. 

HOW’s Permanent Supportive Housing program serves individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness and/or those with a documented disability. For individuals and families experiencing an episode of homelessness in response to a crisis, HOW offers short-term supportive housing for up to two years, allowing clients time to recover and regain self-sufficiency. Many clients successfully take over their lease, previously managed by HOW, at the end of the program.

Each HOW client is assigned to a case manager for one-on-one support. HOW case managers build relationships with their clients, helping them develop skills for success and rebuild a community network of support. Services include: employment and education assistance, medical and mental health referrals, financial literacy training, assistance with securing food, clothing, furniture, and essentials, housing advocacy and education, access to our on-site legal aid clinic, and more.