Resources for the Unhoused

The Village's E.C.H.O. Program is an innovative initiative designed to enhance community safety and well-being by offering responses to non-emergency and low-risk calls for service through 911 dispatch. This program reflects Oak Park’s commitment to reimagining public safety and meeting the diverse needs of our neighbors.

The Oak Park Police Department is prioritizing community engagement and proactive measures to address the needs of the unhoused individuals living within the Village. The Police Department also partners with Housing Forward, and this partnership has already resulted in the successful placement of several unhoused individuals into stable housing.

Police Department patrol officers across all three shifts have conducted hourly checks at encampments to prevent loitering, aggressive panhandling and criminal activities near public transportation stations. Their presence has significantly deterred such activities and creates a safer environment for everyone. Furthermore, these officers have made several arrests for possession of controlled substances, warrants and burglaries in the area of public transportation stations, which has contributed to a reduction in drug-related theft activities.

The Village and its partners in the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County are teaming up to work on the Yes to the Address initiative, which brings together landlords with available units and households that are actively working with a housing navigator to identify a unit.

This includes events designed to expedite the housing search process and provide more information to landlords about the benefits of partnership including: filling vacant units, on-going rental assistance, wraparound services and dedicated staff committed to keeping individuals securely housed, and providing a place for a person experiencing homelessness to call home.

The Village is an active member of the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition working with 50-plus businesses, individuals and service agencies throughout the community, including Housing Forward and Live4Lali, to provide case management, emergency shelter, substance use treatment, interim housing, and employment readiness services for these homeless individuals to get support. Housing Forward re-opened an Emergency Shelter in January 2023 with access to 15 beds to help meet the growing demand in Oak Park. For a full list of Coalition members, please click here.

Volunteers are a vital part of Housing Forward's efforts to address homelessness in Oak Park and surrounding communities. Join a volunteer team and use your skills, talents, and expertise to improve the lives of neighbors experiencing housing crisis. For more information about a variety of volunteer opportunities with Housing Forward, please click here.

Housing Forward also accepts contributions to support its goal of ending homelessness. Donations help support services that prevent homelessness, respond to homelessness and build stability that will end homelessness, one person at a time. For more information on ways to give, please click here.

The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition created a street outreach card that can be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness. Click the link below to download and print the card. Copies are also available at Village Hall, 123 Madison St.