PEORIA, Ill. — A multi-organizational effort is underway to transition the approximated 20 homeless people living in the I-74 bridge encampment to permanent shelter.
Spearheaded by the Home for All Continuum of Care, the City of Peoria was providing CARES Act funding via the Emergency Solutions Grant, while Phoenix Community Development Services was providing leads to permanent housing and on-site case management to help determine the best housing situation for the individuals.
While permanent housing is found for the individuals, a local hotel is providing rooms in the interim.
“The end goal, here, is to certainly move these individuals into a permanent housing solution,” said Continuum of Care Executive Director Kate Green.
“So, this is kind of a stopgap measure for us to get us through the cold weather and to really push for the solution for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.”
Green said 10 individuals as of Monday afternoon had been placed into hotel rooms, and the goal was to have the other 10 placed by Wednesday.
Additional organizations involved include The Salvation Army, which is providing daily food service; the OSF Street Medicine Team, providing medical care; Jolt, which is offering harm reduction services; Goodwill of Central Illinois, donating clothing; and Dream Center Peoria, providing laundry services.
“I’m excited for us to come together in a collaborative way, showcase what’s possible when all of our partners sit at the table, and certainly look to do different initiatives, whether it be like this or other new initiatives, throughout our community in the coming years,” said Green.
