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City begins data-gathering with Continuum of Care to shape shelter funding strategy
Summary
ECDA staff told the committee they have begun monthly work with a Continuum of Care subcommittee to survey service providers about barriers and align shelter plans with the city’s consolidated plan and grant obligations.
KANKAKEE, Ill. — ECDA staff said on Monday they have launched an initial data-gathering effort with the county Continuum of Care and local service providers to shape a coordinated shelter funding and service strategy.
Maya, an ECDA staff member, told the committee the team is in a “very beginning, like, data-gathering stage” and is working with a subcommittee of the Continuum of Care to develop surveys and brainstorming sessions with service providers.
The first survey focuses on barriers to providing and accessing homeless-prevention and shelter services. Staff said future sections will address additional topics and that surveys will be shared with municipal partners and boots-on-the-ground staff at local agencies.
Why it matters
Maya said the goal is to build shared understanding among service providers and the city so agencies can refer people to the appropriate providers and the city can better allocate funds. She cited the shelter grant application with Harbour House as an example where the city had to outline a shelter plan and said this effort aims to make that planning more collaborative and data-driven.
Process and participation
Staff said the survey was sent to the Continuum of Care distribution list, which includes providers beyond those who attend meetings, and that some municipal partners and neighboring communities have representatives participating. ECDA said it will include committee members in future surveys and progress reports.
No formal actions
Committee members discussed the outreach plan but took no formal votes on the shelter strategy. Staff requested ongoing input from council members and said they will report back as surveys are completed and analyzed.
Ending
ECDA staff said next steps include expanding the survey topics and conducting brainstorming sessions with agencies; no program changes or funding commitments were made at the June 2 meeting.
