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Champaign Township outlines Strides shelter operations, urges approval of proposed township levy to sustain services
Summary
Champaign Township deputy supervisor Jasmine Hernandez told the Urbana City Council that Strides, a low‑barrier shelter in Champaign with 64 beds, served 258 unique bed holders Jan.–June 2024 and that a proposed township levy on the Nov. ballot would raise about $4 million—roughly $3.4M of which would support Strides’ operations and permanent rapid rehousing.
Champaign Township deputy supervisor Jasmine Hernandez described Strides, the township’s low‑barrier emergency shelter at 70 East Washington Street in Champaign, and urged voters to support a proposed township tax levy on the Nov. 5 ballot that would fund shelter operations and permanent rapid rehousing programs.
Hernandez said Strides operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and currently offers 64 beds (50 male, 14 female), separate sleeping areas by identifying sex, daily intake and bed‑claim procedures, case management and onsite partner services such as health care and AA meetings. “Strides is located at 70 East Washington Street in Champaign,” she said.
She reported that from Jan. 1 through June 30 the shelter provided bed services to 258 unique individuals: 172 male‑identifying, 75 female, 2 transgender, 1 non‑binary and 7 who declined to state. The cohort included 17 veterans (about 7%). Hernandez also presented needs data: 102 individuals reported a mental‑health disorder, 48 a substance‑use disorder, 43 a physical disability and 83 chronic health conditions.
Hernandez outlined a newly launched rapid rehousing program with two tiers providing housing navigation, case management and financial assistance such as deposits, tenant‑based rental assistance and utility assistance. She said the proposed levy would enable the township to sustain and expand staffing, permanent rapid rehousing, street outreach, a computer lab with IT support, and additional funds for transportation, food and housewarming stipends for people who move into housing.
On funding, Hernandez said a home assessed at $100,000 paid roughly $13.90 annually to the township in 2023; the proposed levy would increase that to $73.87 and generate about $4,000,000 for the township, with roughly $3.4 million earmarked for Strides’ operations. She added that the township previously used a $2.6 million ARPA grant and a $750,000 Urbana ARPA allocation to support Strides’ staffing and operations but those funds have been spent down.
Councilmembers asked about wait‑list length, bed capacity limits (tied to fire code), whether the levy would create permanent units (Hernandez said the proposal would fund an estimated 16 permanent housing placements per year under the rapid rehousing program) and whether neighboring jurisdictions might contribute. Hernandez confirmed the township board approved placing the measure on the Nov. 5 ballot; she said, if the levy fails, Champaign County would likely lose its only 24/7 low‑barrier shelter and the township would need to have “very serious conversations” with neighboring jurisdictions.
Hernandez provided contact names for donations, volunteering and internships and noted that the presentation slide deck is available in the council packet online.
Next steps: the levy will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters in the City of Champaign Township, as Hernandez said; the council discussion at this meeting was informational.
