(NewsNation) — Friday is the last day that Chicago’s last migrant shelter will be open as the mayor’s plan to combine programs for them and those experiencing homelessness takes effect.
Experts say this will be a streamlined process for people to get assistance that also saves the city money.
According to city data, the number of people in Chicago experiencing homelessness has nearly tripled in the last year.
At one point, people were sleeping on the street, in shelters, inside police stations and even at O’Hare International Airport.
There were two major reasons for that increase: The cost of housing affecting current and long-time residents, and the influx of more than 35,000 migrants that were bused in or flown to Chicago as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
To deal with the surge of people coming in during recent years, Chicago officials established two systems: one for new arrivals and another for people who have been here longer, Bob Palmer, policy director of Housing Action Illinois, said.
Now, these services will be merged into Chicago’s One System Initiative, he said, meaning these shelters won’t only be for migrants but for any homeless individuals in need of housing.
Under the new unified shelter initiative, which is launching in January, 3,800 beds are set added to the 3,000 already in the system.
In 2023, Chicago reportedly spent more than $320 million on migrant services. This new initiative could make a difference as officials expect a $980 million budget shortfall in 2025.