Chicago mayor announces homelessness plan with unclear funding sources

(The Center Square) – Chicago officials unveiled a plan they say would effectively end homelessness in the city, even as questions over leadership changes and unclear funding streams cast early uncertainty over how the plan will be implemented.

The five-year blueprint features data, recommendations and insight into how the city might address the issue of homelessness. It contains seven pillars to address – emergency services, housing, health, education, employment, community cohesion and systems alignment.

Improvements to homelessness services have already been in progress according to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, but the blueprint will provide guidance for initiatives. The report says it aims to effectively end homelessness, based on a framework called Functional Zero.

Sendy Soto, Chicago chief homelessness officer, was appointed to the position by the mayor in 2023 to lead efforts creating the five-year plan. ...