Monday, April 25, 2016

Ald. Cappleman: Homeless Living Under Lake Shore Viaducts To Be Placed In Permanent Housing

 
"Due to a coalition that I spearheaded, the Mayor just announced a major change in the City's approach to addressing homelessness. For years I have advocated for the City to make our homeless residents a priority by using a plan that shows long term results. In the past, our challenge has been the many barriers that chronically homeless individuals face within the shelter system. A pilot project that will permanently house people immediately and will include social services for each individual is now underway, starting with the homeless encampments in Uptown along Lake Shore Drive. I want to thank Doug Shenkelberg from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless for his organization's leadership in working with me to advance this proven model as a priority for the City of Chicago in helping the residents that live in encampments.

Two weeks ago, the Dept. of Family & Support Services assessed the specific needs of approximately 75 people living along Lake Shore Drive, and work is now underway to get them into housing within the next 90 days. The City will take what is learned from this effort and duplicate it in other parts of the City where there are other homeless encampments.

I don't expect this to be a one time fix. The long term solution for our city, is to make affordable housing a top priority. This is the only way we can reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness. For now, I will monitor this pilot project and assist in finding funding to make sure it is successful here and throughout Chicago."

9 comments:

  1. I just heard several rounds of gun shots near around Lincoln Park at Lake Shore Dr. and Lawerance Ave. (10:30pm)

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    1. Saw fireworks with my own eyes near Lawrence and Sheridan right after the Blackhawks lost.

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    2. Margate Park is missing several green trash cans because the homeless have taken them under the bridges at Foster and Lawrence. I have to walk quite far just to throw away my dog's poop.

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  2. And, no doubt, the activist organizations who have exploited these people to further their own "we want more government money for our organization cause" will fight this every step of the way. I heard they did a protest march along LSD in the last two weeks to protest getting these people into housing and out of the viaducts. So exploitive. So sad.

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  3. Good first move, let's see if they go through with it (like they did the last time). Now if only someone would yank on Ald. Reilly about the bums beggas and druggies hanging around State and Lake. That block has become a real cesspool ala Times Square in NYC.

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    1. When is the last time you went to Times Square?

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  4. I will confirm the fireworks. Someone was lighting them off around Arai Park last night.

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  5. I heard the fireworks too, but was woken up and thought they were gunshots at first...it is Uptown after all...

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  6. Funny, Cappleman spearheaded this eh? He wasn't even there!

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