Chicago’s Homelessness Plan Emphasizes Affordable Housing Amid Rising Rents

Mayor Brandon Johnson released Chicago’s Five-Year Blueprint on Homelessness Jan. 14 after appointing Chicago’s first Chief Homelessness Officer Sendy Soto in 2024 in order to help prevent homelessness. 

The plan outlines a commitment to investing in permanent housing, homelessness prevention, integrated health care and strong coordination across social programs. 

The blueprint, which spans 2026 through 2031, frames homelessness as a result of a shortage of affordable housing, supported by an analysis done by the Chicago Housing Authority, which found a shortage of “rentals affordable to extremely low-income families.” 

“Housing is a human right, and secure, safe and healthy housing is the foundation upon which most people build their lives,” Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) said. “If you don’t have a home, it’s difficult to work, raise a family or stay healthy.” 

While the 2025 Point-in-Time Count captures individuals living in shelters or unsheltered settings, a large number of Chicago residents experience housing instability through less visible forms, including doubling up with family or friends, according to page 16 in the blueprint.

Hadden said this is especially common among renters. In the 49th Ward, approximately 75% of residents rent their homes. Housing affordability remains the most frequent issue raised with her office. 

Hadden noticed housing loss has disproportionately affected Black and immigrant communities in Chicago, pointing to large areas of vacant land on Chicago’s predominantly black West Side. 

“When we think about swaths of the city where there are vacant lots, those were neighborhoods where largely Black and immigrant populations lived that have been removed,” Hadden said.

In the 48th Ward, Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said housing pressure is driven by rising rents and limited supply rather than population growth. 

“We’re lacking about 119,000 affordable units citywide,” Manaa-Hoppenworth said. “That shortage isn’t limited to one ward or one part of the city.”

Manaa-Hoppenworth said encampments along the lake reflect gaps in available housing options rather than a lack of outreach. 

“People need more resources and more housing options,” Manaa-Hoppenworth said. 

The blueprint emphasizes increasing housing supply through development while preserving affordability. Manaa-Hoppenworth said her office has supported building affordable units along Broadway with the help of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation.

Manaa-Hoppenworth also cited Chicago’s expanding social housing initiative, which uses public financing to support mixed-income developments.

The blueprint identifies students as a population with elevated rates of housing insecurity, particularly within Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago. 

Soto said many students experiencing homelessness don’t have access to shelters or formal homelessness services. 

“Homelessness isn’t just people in encampments or shelters,” Soto said. “It includes students who are doubled up, working multiple jobs or parenting while enrolled in school.”

Soto said the city has supported programs like City Colleges of Chicago’s partnership with DePaul University’s Dax Program, which provides housing for students alongside pathways to permanent housing. However, Soto said many students remain outside the coordinated entry system used for the homelessness services. 

Black Chicago residents account for nearly 70% of the city’s homeless population despite only making up about 30% of the total population according to page nine of the blueprint. 

Soto said the disparity reflects historic and structural inequities, including segregating and discriminatory housing policy. 

“We have to be honest about the structural harms that have affected Black communities,” Soto said. 

Soto also cited system fragmentation as a major challenge. Different agencies and programs operate under different definitions of homelessness, which can affect eligibility for services. 

“Someone may be experiencing homelessness but not qualify under a specific definition,” Soto said. “That makes navigating services difficult.” 

The plan outlines 22 goals across seven focus areas. Soto said the plan was informed by more than 400 interviews and focus groups, along with survey responses from residents in every Chicago zip code. 

While some strategies rely on policy changes, others require new funding. Soto said the blueprint provides a framework that could guide future funding efforts, including a potential renewed push for the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which would create a dedicated funding stream for homelessness prevention and housing programs. 

“What we’re hearing from residents is that eviction prevention and rental assistance are priorities,” Soto said. 

Soto said the blueprint will be accompanied by annual progress reports and additional agency-specific plans. 

Public comment on the draft remains open through the end of the week, with a final version expected to be published on the city’s website.