As a lifelong Chicagoan, I’ve seen some of the most gorgeous neighborhoods in the world, but have also been exposed to the horrific undocumented problems that come with one of the largest metropolitan areas.

Some cold hard truth.

At minimum wage, a worker must work 82 hours/ week or a household must include 2.1 wage earners working 40/ week, 52 weeks per year...to make an average two-bedroom apartment affordable. Half of all homeowners pay over 30% of their income towards mortgage payments. 90,000 Illinoisans working full-time year-round still fall below the poverty line. In other words, low income renters cannot afford to live in the cities and towns where they work.

There are so many incredible organizations that are fighting to combat the various ills of homelessness and poverty. All Chicago takes an innovative approach to combating homelessness.

It's about immediate support at the most strategic moment.

Instead of lags to get support, All Chicago aids in pivotal moments. They give critical funding when people are facing issues that could lead to crisis. They back that up with a civic research arm to help the city ensure there is affordable house. They host educational programs for those looking to improve financial literacy and get off the streets.

I got to know this great organization when it was a separate NFP called The Emergency Fund. They had the foresight to join forces with another group working towards the same goal. This merger made the collective All Chicago an incredible force to combat the issues that plague our city.

On any given night, 6,000 Chicagoans don’t have a place to call home. Tens of thousands more are one unexpected setback away from joining them. All Chicago believes that these are our neighbors, this is our community, and together we can ensure that all of us have stable and secure homes.

All Chicago combines immediate resources with long term strategies to address the complex issue of homelessness.

• The Emergency Fund program provides critical financial assistance to people experiencing an emergency that could lead to homelessness or other crises.
• The Chicago Alliance program analyzes, recommends, and collaboratively implements sustainable housing solutions for Chicago.
• The Learning Center program researches leading practices and offers educational opportunities for all those working to end homelessness.