December 11, 2009

Stroger Announces Kickoff of Homelessness Prevention Call Center

Hotline and supporting services provide new homelessness prevention option for suburban Cook County residents, linking to short-term and medium term rental assistance, security/utility deposits, utility payments, moving assistance, motel/hotel vouchers

Cook County Board President Todd H. Stroger has announced the rollout of a new Call Center for the Prevention of Homelessness in Suburban Cook County. The new initiative is designed to provide Cook County families with direct links to financial assistance that includes short-term and medium term rental assistance, security/utility deposits, utility payments, moving assistance, and motel/hotel vouchers.

Cook County Call Center for the Prevention of Homelessness    Suburban Cook County families seeking help can call   1-877-4-COOK-15 (1-877-426-6515) Chicago residents can continue to call the City’s existing helpline at 311.

Cook County partnered with three suburbs -- Oak Park, Cicero and Berwyn – as well as Options for Housing, an affiliate of Catholic Charities, to bring the new Homelessness Prevention Call Center to suburban Cook County residents.

Funding for the Call Center was made available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Homelessness Prevention Fund – HPRP – created under Title XII of Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The HPRP is focused on housing for homeless and at-risk households.

“I’m deeply concerned about the challenges that many of our residents continue to face during this difficult economic period – including the real risk of homelessness many families confront today,” said President Stroger. “The Call Center is designed to bring much needed resources to our residents at risk of losing their housing.”

Suburban Cook County families seeking help can reach the new Call Center at 1-877-4-COOK-15 (1-877-426-6515). Chicago residents can continue to call the City’s existing helpline at 311.

“My staff and partners have been working diligently to improve lines of communication that bridge the gap between families and agencies that we fund,” said Stroger. “The Call Center and related resources are being introduced at a time when families need them most, and I’m pleased at the rapid pace in which our Bureau of Community Development and their partners were able to make the Call Center for Suburban Cook County a reality.”

As word of the call center has spread in recent days, many local residents have been calling the County’s Bureau of Community Development directly for more information. Those in need are urged to reach out directly to the call center hotline for speedier assistance.