Accelerated moving event to get homeless people out of shelters takes place as Chicago announces plans to move migrants to homeless shelters

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The city of Chicago is putting plans into place to move migrants out of temporary housing and into homeless shelters. Meanwhile, an event at a local church worked to move homeless people from shelters to housing in just one day.

The city announced that plans are in place to eliminate temporary migrant shelters.

The city’s Chief Homelessness Officer, Sendy Soto, said the migrants living in temporary shelters will be integrated into the general homeless population in shelters. There will no longer be migrant shelters and homeless shelters.

“We are working on a one system initiative and we are hoping to have some plans finalized by the summer. And hopefully by the end of the year, we're able to really transition all of the new arrival shelters into this one system,” Soto said.

Aside from the temporary shelters, the city has about 3,000 shelter beds that operate at near-capacity every day.

There are plans to expand capacity and to create more non-congregate shelters, where people would have their own rooms or units.

Meanwhile, an event that drew the attention of homeless advocates from the White House, the state and the city, worked to move people out of shelters to housing at a rapid rate.

An event at St. Sabina Catholic Church, in Chicago’s Auburn-Gresham neighborhood on Thursday worked to get people out of homeless shelters and into housing in a day.

A total of 25 families were brought from two shelters for the event by All Chicago Making Homelessness History.

“Accelerated moving events are a sort of one stop shop where we bring people here and it condenses what is oftentimes an overwhelming process that can take many months into something that takes just a few hours that is efficient and holistic to serve people who are in need,” said Nicole Bahena, with the organization All Chicago.

Those who attend the event get case-workers, who guide them through the process, and assist with any needs — jobs, substance abuse treatment, IDs, and anything else. They choose apartments virtually.

All Chicago started these events in 2020.

Bahena said the model comes from the response to hurricanes.  This is the 122nd accelerated moving event.

To date, she said, well over 2,000 families have been assisted.

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