The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition is working to end homelessness in Oak Park, Illinois by making it rare, brief and one time. In addition to housing those experiencing homelessness and providing the needed wraparound services, we work to help those who precariously housed. During the pandemic, more than 125 people were housed. That's significant progress, yet we have more to do to end homelessness and address panhandling. Please join us.
Emergency Warming Center Locations Announced
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition, in conjunction with our coalition members, developed a 2021-2022 winter emergency plan that includes:
Emergency Warming Centers at West Suburban Medical Center, and Oak Park Library library locations during operation hours. These centers will be open for people to stay warm during extreme weather events. See hours below:
West Suburban Medical Center (3 Erie St, Oak Park, IL 60302)
Open daily from 6 pm until 6 am in the Emergency Room
Rush Oak Park (610 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 603040) Temporarily Closed
Oak Park Public Library - Main Location (834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301)
Mondays–Thursdays: 9 am–9 pm
Fridays: 9 am–6 pm
Saturdays: 9 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
Oak Park Public Library - Dole Branch (255 Augusta St, Oak Park, IL 60302)
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays–Thursdays: 10 am- 9 pm
Fridays: 10 am–6 pm
Saturdays: 10 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
Oak Park Public Library - Maze Branch (845 Gunderson Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304)
Mondays–Thursdays: 10 am–9 pm
Fridays: Closed
Saturdays: 10 am–5 pm
Sundays: Noon–5 pm
In cases of prolonged extreme weather, an emergency overnight shelter will be open at a church or churches in Oak Park.
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition is working closely with Rush Oak Park, Housing Forward and Takeout 25 Oak Park to provide an Emergency Warming Center and help people experiencing homelessness get through the harsh winter months.
In partnership with local restaurants and Delivery First, Takeout 25, will deliver food twice a day (breakfast & dinner) through the coldest months.
Volunteers and Meals Needed for Emergency Warming Shelters
If you are interested in volunteering to assist as a shelter associate or help transport individuals or donate meals, please email Cherrell Jackson at cjackson@housingforward.org. Thank you!
The Strategic Plan has been added to the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition website. This new plan features:
A detailed story on how the pandemic impacted the approach to ending homelessness in Oak Park.
Six strategies, including approaches to affordable housing, ways to increase employment and economic stability, and coordination to strengthen behavioral health services, on making homelessness rare, brief, and one time in our community.
Resources and a glossary of terms to help address issues and needs while making the necessary next steps to combat homelessness.
Click the button below to view the plan.
Oak Park Homelessness Coalition Quarterly Meeting
January 27, 2022
Watch the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition’s Video
CONNECT WITH THE INTERIM HOUSING PROGRAM
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PADS Emergency Shelter services are currently suspended. Housing Forward’s Interim Housing Program provides individuals accommodations and meals to homeless individuals and families for up to 90 days. It includes structured programming with intake and assessment, housing-oriented wrap-around services, case management, on-site health assessment and income support either through employment and/or entitlement benefit supports.
Clients must participate in a screening and assessment as the first step to entering the program.
For intake information, please call (708) 397-4423 or text (708) 979-5033. After hours, email outreachteam@housingforward.org.
We Are A Coalition.
Ending homelessness in Oak Park means making it rare, brief and one time. Our goal is to get people housed within 30 days from the start of their homelessness and to help them maintain housing stability. Our five work groups work tirelessly to bring an end to homelessness in Oak Park by facilitating these key objectives:
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition (OPHC) is made up of over 50 organizations and individuals working to end homelessness in Oak Park. The OPHC meets quarterly, with five work groups that meet monthly to execute a five-point plan to end homelessness. Facilitated by a5 and funded by the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park, the Oak Park Community Foundation and the Village of Oak Park, the OPHC is working to make homelessness in Oak Park rare, brief and one time.
Created by The Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, Entry Point is the Coordinated Entry system for suburban Cook County’s homeless services continuum of care. Entry Point’s purpose is to ensure that all people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness have access to fair and equal housing. Click below to learn more about walk-in centers, shelters, outreach support, youth services and domestic violence assistance.
The Service Intersections Work Group of the Coalition has determined that in order to end homelessness in Oak Park, we have to connect the dots in a coordinated fashion from housing to job training to social services. The Health Connection HUB, a resource of the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park, can connect clients and providers with the resources they need, from housing and food stability to healthcare and transportation.
