Gov. Quinn commits to affordable housing – Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Gov. Quinn gave a speech last Wednesday about the importance of affordable housing, an issue he supported before becoming governor. He asked citizens to contact their representatives to voice their support for affordable housing in both Chicago and Illinois.

Plan to Charge Working Homeless Draws Fire, Again – The New York Times
As the Chicago Housing Authority implements its work requirement in some public housing developments, New York City has started charging rent for the working homeless living in their shelters.  The rent is being charged under a never-enforced 1997 law where rent can be charged up to 50 percent of someone’s income, which seems high. Not paying rent could result in eviction from the shelter. The new enforcement has drawn lots of criticism.

Marines volunteer at homeless shelter during Maine Week – Cornerstone Community Outreach
Marine Week included a wide variety of activities in Chicago from helicopter raids of Arlington park to basically a human elevator at the Sylvia Center in Uptown. The 24 Marines hauled 200 bags up six flights of stairs to help the shelter reorganize and clean out their basement. More information is available from the official Marine story on the volunteer day.

Lane Bryant crime scene clothes donated – Chicago Sun-Times
The clothes from the Tinley Park Lane Bryant store where five people were murdered are being donated to an agency that works with the homeless, a domestic violence non-profit and a women’s prison.

Stereo Sinai raises more than $100 for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless – Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
A couple weeks ago I mentioned the Stereo Sinai fundraiser around their single 12 Below, which was being used to raise money for CCH. The fundraiser has ended and CCH reports that they received a donation of more than $100 from the group.

Loyola students feed and cloth homeless through Labre program – Mosaic 2009 Blog
Thursdays at Loyola’s Water Tower campus, students make sandwichs and gather food into coolers which they use to distribute to the homeless on the streets. The post also has some interesting reflections on coffee shop customer service that puts the customer first, unless they are a homeless person.

Local homeless organization featured in Oscars commercial - True North Snacks
Inspiration Cafe, an Uptown homeless organization with many programs, was featured in a commercial during the Academy Awards on Sunday. The 60 second ad was directed by actress Helen Hunt and featured Inspiration’s founder Lisa Nigro’s story and the work that Inspiration does for the homeless. Inspiration was chosen from 2300 applicants and recieved a $25,000 prize with the national exposure. Check out the link for the ad and for a behind the scenes video with Helen Hunt.

Update – Homeless man files suit to get on the ballot in Oak Park – Chicago Breaking News
Daniel Fore filed suit Thursday in Cook County to get his name on the ballot for Oak Park village board after the board voted 2-1 he couldn’t be on the ballot because he doesn’t have an address. Fore was denied access to the ballot last year, but this year he is represented by the law firm Kirkland & Ellis.

Gov. Quinn appoints former CCH Board President and longtime Board Member – Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Gov. Quinn appointed Michelle Saddler to Director of Policy. At CCH, Saddler was on the board of directors until 2003 and in government she has been the Director of Investments for the Office of the State Treasury for four years. Some of the policy initiatives she will oversee include housing, economic development and health care. This could also mean that issues surrounding homelessness could have an advocate close to the governor’s office.

Blues to benefit Sarah’s Circle – Sarah’s Circle
Sarah’s Circle will be having a fundraiser next Thursday Feb. 26, at Buddy Guy’s Legends. The John Primer Band will be playing, Kirkland & Ellis and the show begins at 9:30 p.m.

Residents skeptical about new CHA program to prevent homelessness – Chi-Town Daily News
A new plan from the CHA would help place people being evicted from public housing into shelters and help them during the transition with services like storage for their belongings. Critiques ask why not work on something that keeps people in their homes instead of helping them move into shelters, which are increasingly overcrowded? Check out another opinion on the plan at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless blog.

Homeless kids lack school to call home – Chicago Tribune
Carlos Sadovi’s story is about the hardships of the homeless students who attend Chicago Public Schools. Constantly changing shelters, and therefore schools, along with the inability to maintain friends or do homework productively at home makes it difficult to succeed. And the number of homeless students is growing.