Join UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and Chicago Public Library for a panel conversation about our Black Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality report, which analyzed the structural factors driving racial disparities in rates of Black homelessness in Illinois, such as a lack of affordable housing, evictions, incarceration, unemployment, healthcare access, and aging out of foster care often push Black residents in Illinois toward homelessness.

Panelists include Carolynn Ross (All Chicago), Richard Rowe (Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness), Sherri Allen-Reeves (Phoenix Foundation), and moderator Sendy Soto (Chicago Chief Homelessness Officer).

Phoenix Foundation, NFP was founded in 2021 to seek housing solutions for homeless people during the pandemic, particularly those individuals and families with histories of substance abuse or history of justice involvement and other behavior issues. As a new woman-led BIPOC organization in Chicago, Phoenix Foundation has already achieved remarkable success in our mission to end generational homelessness. Phoenix Foundation’s success is reflected in its recent partnership with a developer who sought us out for our expertise in creating affordable and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Phoenix Foundation offers the following services to the community: Phoenix Rising Emergency Triage Shelter, CES Access Point Housing Resource Specialist, Phoenix Rapid Rehousing, and Healthy Futures Case Management.