Whether you are a person experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or just looking to help, there are many resources available to you.

Career Pathways Job Listing

Housing Forward generates a job listing email every weekday. If you or someone you know is in need of employment or employment services, learn more with the Career Pathways’ weekly roundup.

Warming Center

Rush Oak Park will operate a warming center located in the old emergency room entrance on Wisconsin Ave. It is available to 12 people at a time from 8 am to 6 am when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Anyone who enters the hospital will have their temperature screened. There is also a universal masking policy in effect at the hospital.

Emergency Shelter Assistance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PADS Emergency Shelter services are currently suspended.

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. 

Emergency Housing Assistance funds are available for COVID-19 response through Housing Forward via the CARES Act. Housing Forward will begin accepting applications on Monday, August 3.

To learn more and access funds, visit: www.housingforward.org. Oak Park Homelessness Coalition is proud to be part of this initiative to help keep Oak Parkers stably housed.

Are You In Need of Emergency Rental Assistance Due to COVID?

C.A.R.E.S. Funding is temporary help for individuals and families who are experiencing a financial crisis, and are behind in rent. This program provides assistance with rent and utilities and smaller emergency requests (e.g. food vouchers, assistance with securing government issued identification and transportation passes.) Emergency assistance is focused on preventing homelessness or aiding those that are in between stable housing situations. 

The COVID-19 Recovery: Rental Assistance Program helps suburban Cook County residents having difficulty paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It pays up to three months of overdue or future rent. Rental payments will be sent directly to landlords by the Housing Authority of Cook County. The program is part of the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative, funded by the federal CARES Act. Thank you to West Suburban Regional Housing Center (part of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center) for providing leadership on this.

In Need of Resources and Assistance During COVID-19 Outbreak?

Housing Forward’s Emergency Assistance Program provides individuals and families who are at risk or experiencing homelessness with emergency financial assistance that is aimed towards preventing homelessness or aiding those that are in between stable housing.

How to Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19 Outbreak?

Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community. Know the signs and symptoms, create a household plan, and how to protect yourself and family.

Are You Experiencing Homelessness, At Risk of Becoming Homeless or Fleeing Domestic Violence?

Visit the Entry Point website for information on resources that could help you regain your housing stability and safety including hotlines, walk-in centers and emergency shelters in your area.

Looking for Resources in Your Area?

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park is a Coalition staple of the OPHC and has recently rolled out a new database site, the Health Connection HUB. This site offers comprehensive lists of various resources, including food pantry locations, healthcare providers, legal help and much more. Visit the site to learn more about what’s available to you.

Want to Know More About the OPHC’s Plan?

Click below to download our comprehensive plan of action and learn more about the OPHC and our mission to make homelessness in Oak Park rare, brief and one time.

Need Someone to Talk To? Help Is Here.

Mental health resources have been made available by the State of Illinois and Governor J.B. Pritzker, who announced the creation of a telehealth service and mental health support line to offer remote health services to residents across the state. The program is designed to bring healthcare and mental health services to the people, with a focus on underserved communities and those at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Text TALK to 552020.

Want to Provide Information to Individuals Experiencing Homelessness?

Housing Forward and the OPHC have created a street outreach card that can be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness. The card contains food pantry and shelter schedules (while indicating which shelters are designated family shelters for those with children) along with many other helpful and often vital resources.

Need Someone To Talk To About Suicidal Thoughts Or Emotional Support?

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.