03.15.2024 Update

On Sunday, March 17th, shelter residents originally scheduled to exit shelter in January will be exiting with case-specific exemptions. These exemptions include extensions for families with children. No shelter residents will exit on March 16th. On March 17th, 34 residents were slated to exit. On Sunday, only 3 residents actually left the shelter system. The remaining 31 residents scheduled to exit temporary shelters received extensions due to exemptions. Those exiting have the option to return to the Landing Zone and be reprocessed and placed in shelter once again if appropriate beds are available. Extensions to the policy will be determined on an individual basis. 

To date, 14,700 people have exited shelter due to resettlement across the Chicago area and 5,200 people have reunited with family and friends through out-migration for a total of 19,900 people supported. Currently, 4,155 of 11,210 shelter residents are being provided support in resettlement efforts and are making progress towards securing housing. No shelter residents are expected to exit shelter on Saturday. Moving forward, those exiting have the option to return to the Landing Zone and be reprocessed and placed in shelter once again if appropriate beds are available.

Extensions to the policy will be determined on an individual basis. Factors from the Department of Family and Support Services’ (DFSS) Limited Stay Extension Policy still apply and have always included public benefit enrollment, pregnancy or infant care, medical care, disability, mental health, gender-based violence concerns, bereavement and medical isolation or quarantine.

Two additional considerations were added and were announced today. First, due to current bed availability, families with children who are in shelter, as of today, will receive 30-day extensions, which may be renewed up to three times through June 10, 2024. Second, additional precautions were added to address the emerging measles cases. To read the in more detail, please see here. 

1.29.2024 Update

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Monday, January 29th the extension of the 60-day policy for individuals and families in the city’s temporary emergency shelter system. All shelter residents originally scheduled to exit shelter from January 16th through February 29th will be extended by 60 days from their original exit date. All shelter residents scheduled to exit between March 1st to March 28th will be extended by 30 days from their original exit date.

The 60-day shelter stay limit was announced in the wake of the State’s announcement of increased investment in resettlement services and case management.

• Due to the delay in fully staffing case managers at every shelter, shelter stay limits have been extended by 60 days for the 5,673 individuals who were originally scheduled to exit shelter on January 16th. The new exit date for this group will be 60 days from their original exit date.
• For the 2,119 residents who were scheduled to exit shelter between March 1st and March 28th, their new exit dates will be extended by 30 days from their originally planned exit date.
• Any new shelter residents will receive a 60-day notice upon entering the shelter system.

While the City’s partnership with the State has resulted in over 15,000 asylum seekers being reunited or resettled, there are still over 14,000 individuals in our shelter system who need additional support to reach self-sufficiency and independence. The City’s partnerships with the State, the County, and the faith and philanthropic communities have been vital to the continued success of the New Arrivals Mission.

States and municipalities across the country have struggled to manage this national humanitarian crisis:

• In Massachusetts, the state government established a statewide limit of 7,500 beds across 100 different cities.
• Denver has instituted 14-day limits for single individuals and 42-day stays for families, making adjustments for weather. On February 6th, Denver will begin discharging families again after a pause.
• New York City instituted a 60-day limit for families and a 30-day limit for single individuals on October 16th, and began discharging new arrivals from shelter on January 9th.