North Cook News

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced in a July 12 tweet that she has secured federal funding to help a homeless shelter in Evanston provide support for those without a place to live. 

"As a society, we can't grow accustomed to homelessness. We must do more," Schakowsky wrote in her tweet. "I secured $2 million for @connect2home to reopen Hilda's Place, an overnight shelter in Evanston. All people deserve a decent place to lay their head & the resources needed to thrive."

On average, 136 people in the Evanston community are staying in homeless shelters or sleeping in places that are not meant for habitation, the Coalition to End Homelessness in Evanston says. 

That number includes families with small children, young adults, and people escaping abusive relationships. The City of Evanston has estimated that about 4,000 low-income renters are in danger of losing their homes, the coalition says. The Cook County Continuum of Care has estimated that at least 185 emergency shelter beds are needed each night to serve families and individuals who are struggling, the coalition says.

The funding Schakowsky secured would provide enough financial assistance to fully reopen and renovate Hilda's Place, Audacy reported. 

The shelter stopped providing people with a place to stay overnight in the spring of 2020 because of financial issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Audacity news report said. Hilda's Place had been around for 35 years as of then. Schakowsky told Audacy that the need exists because people are struggling to pay rent. 

“All people need to have a decent place to put a head down at night," Audacity quotes Schakowsky as saying. "That is what Hilda’s Place will now be able to do for up to 50 people every single night of the year.” She said she believes more money is needed to address the homeless issue, not only in Illinois but also around the world.