Tue Sep 10 16:08:00 UTC 2024: ## Illinois Invests $6 Million in Program to Combat Homelessness

**Springfield, IL** – Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the allocation of over $6 million in grant funding to four organizations as part of the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program.

The program, a joint effort of DCEO, the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), and the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with the tools and resources they need to find stable employment and housing. The program will be implemented across the state in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

“We’re fighting homelessness in Illinois with compassion, innovation, and ongoing coordination,” said Governor Pritzker. “This award brings us closer to achieving functional zero homelessness by empowering vulnerable residents with the support they need for financial and housing security.”

The pilot program, funded through the Illinois Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED), will run for 30 months and focus on connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with employment opportunities, helping them establish financial stability, and enabling them to afford permanent housing.

“Our communities have been asking for ways to uplift and protect each other, and the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program is turning those words into action,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “By empowering everyone to create a safe, dignified life, we are establishing a path to financial stability.”

The program will be implemented through partnerships between local Continuum of Care lead agencies, local Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Administrative Entities (WIOAs), and community service providers. These partnerships will ensure a coordinated approach to addressing homelessness, connecting individuals with the services they need to succeed.

“The State of Illinois is committed to providing critical tools and resources to Illinoisans who have historically experienced disinvestment,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This program provides grant funding to grantees and partners across the state to increase meaningful career opportunities and services for vulnerable communities and combat homelessness.”

Read More