State Budget Advocacy Campaign

As the state budget deadline approaches without resolution, we want to provide an update on how supportive housing dollars may be affected, and how you can contribute to advocacy efforts in the coming weeks. On July 1st, Illinois enters a new fiscal year. If a state budget is not approved by then, there will be no new contracts, meaning budget shortfalls for all non-profits (and others) who do business with the state. The Governor’s office has proposed a cut of all funding for supportive housing, which is a $12.7 million line item. Additionally, funding for mental health supportive housing will be reduced by 60%.

If these cuts are finalized, the cost to our communities will be great. We will lose federal matching dollars for supportive housing services. Vulnerable residents who rely on supportive housing resources will be forced to utilize some of our most costly public services, including shelters, jails, nursing homes, and State Institutions, at a greater rate. These cuts also come with a considerable human cost, denying the residents who rely on these services the opportunity to experience the many positive outcomes stable housing provides.

Additionally, emergency shelter services and homeless prevention funding is at risk. Consider how you might join your voice with those calling for sustained funding of these valuable services.

You can:
1. Contact the Governor's Office and tell him: “No Cuts to Human Services! Find a revenue solution!" Ask all of your contacts to e-mail the Governor with this message.
2. Thank the state legislators who support funding for human services, ask them to “stay the course” and continue to stand up for this vital programming. If you have legislators in your District who support a cut to human services funding, ask them to support a revenue solution for FY 2016. Remind them that these services save money, help the state comply with lawsuits and help to reduce healthcare costs, especially expensive emergency services. Find Legislators for your district at Locate your Legislators.