Elgin's pilot program to help the homeless seems to be working, officials say

Chicago Tribune

2 days ago

Of the 42 homeless people moved into an Elgin hotel by the city this winter, two have relocated to supportive housing, one is in a nursing care facility and one now lives in Wildwood Commons, an affordable housing complex in Elgin.
Four others have received supportive housing referrals through the state and another is on a waitlist for DuPage County housing, said Deidra Trout, director of behavioral health for nonprofit Association for Individual Development (AID).
More than two dozen have received safe, supportive living case management, Trout said, and social service agencies have reached out to another dozen whose basic needs were not being addressed while they were homeless.
In other words, Elgin's Unsheltered Pilot Program has had many successes since the decision was made in December to shut down and dismantle Elgin's 'tent city' along the Fox River and move its residents into Lexington Inn & Suites on Route 31, the Elgin City Council was told during its Wednesday night meeting.
'This project has truly assisted with closing the mortality gap for those who have experienced unsheltered homelessness with evidence-based housing first model,' Trout said. 'Lives have been stabilized. … While we are still early in this pilot, the progress is real.'
That said, the task of addressing homelessness in the city remains daunting, said Jena Hencin, the city's homeless response coordinator.
The success is part of the 'fluid movement of progress and change,' Hencin said. 'This is long-term work, but we are seeing progress. It is leading to real outcomes.'
Elgin partnered with AID on the pilot program in which the homeless encampment residents were moved into hotel rooms where they could be assured access to food and social service assistance.
'Our priority was getting tent city residents to safety,' Hencin said. 'This monumental feat of getting 42 people to the hotel involved numerous moving parts. … City departments acted quickly to support the relocation effort with coordinated, compassionate action while ensuring the protection of those individuals' lives.'
Beyond helping with their immediate needs, the goal has been to connect the residents with services that will lead to long-term housing and access to assistive programs, such as therapy and disability support, she said.
'The reality we face is affordable housing remains scarce,' Hencin said. 'Shelter capacity is limited in Elgin, and solutions do take time. There are fewer than 50 beds available for individuals, and none are available on demand.'
Kane County also continues to have a shortage of affordable housing, she said. The vacancy rate in the county is about 1%.
Elgin recently hosted a landlord fair attended by about 70 property owners. Hencin described it as 'a win for access and equity,' but more needs to be done, she said.
City officials have considered buying the Lexington for continue use as homeless housing — possibly a less expensive alternative to paying for rooms by the night — but no decision has been made, city spokesman Jeff Knox said.
That possibility does not sit well with some parents of students who attend the Elgin Math and Science Academy (EMSA), the campus entrance for which is located across the street from the hotel.
Parent Marcia Rodriguez said she has been unable to obtain information on the due diligence the city did before deciding to use the Lexington to house homeless people. She charged that the city has failed to respond to her Freedom of Information Act requests.
She also claimed there have been many incidents at the hotel reported to the police since the homeless residents moved in, the number of which constitute a violation of the city's nuisance ordinance.
City officials did not respond to her Rodriguez's allegations.
However, the city's homeless program has garnered wider attention, winning the Recognition of Service for Local Government award at the 2025 Home Illinois Summit, which is held by the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.
The agency's Chief Homeless Officer Christine Haley cited Elgin's 'proactive compassionate approach to address homelessness,' Assistant City Manager Karina Nava told the council.
According to Haley, 'Elgin is setting an example for municipalities across the state,' Nava said.