Dear Senator Durbin,
Re: Championing a no-cost provision to stabilize Illinois homelessness programs (FY25 HUD NOFO)
We are writing on behalf of First United Church of Oak Park, a union church of the United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA. We are a congregation that has a strong mission program supporting fair, affordable housing and the eradication of homelessness in suburban Cook County. We are a leader in Oak Park on these and other issues of social justice. One of our main mission partners (nonprofits that we support with grants, events, projects and volunteers) is Housing Forward, headquartered in Maywood.
We are writing to express our profound concern regarding recent activity by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding a Fiscal Year 2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
As a supporter and dedicated ally of Housing Forward and advocate for the well-being of suburban Cook County residents, we understand the critical role federal funding plays in our ability to combat homelessness. The possibility of an FY25 NOFO, combined with abrupt and significant programmatic changes, threatens to destabilize the entire value of a coordinated response.
The stakes are immediate and high for the state of Illinois. The current estimates indicate that 9,362 households across our state are at risk of losing their stable housing and returning to homelessness due to the inevitable funding interruptions and disruption caused by this chaotic process. This includes 253 people supported by Housing Forward in suburban Cook County alone.
This is not a partisan or high-cost request. The solution is simple, fiscally responsible, and consistent with Congress’ past authorization of two-year funding. We urge you to champion a no-cost provision in the next FY26 appropriations bill that directs HUD to renew all existing Continuum of Care grants expiring during calendar year 2026 for one 12-month period. This will prevent service gaps, ensure fiscal responsibility, and allow for congressional review.
Your leadership on this issue is crucial for maintaining stability and community well-being in Illinois. We are prepared to provide any local data or examples you may need to support this effort.
P.S. We are aware that earlier this week the Trump administration abruptly withdrew its plan to overhaul how $3.9 billion in federal aid to combat homelessness would be spent, saying it would reissue the proposal after making “appropriate revisions.” But that’s not necessarily good news. It just means more uncertainty and possible delays in funding.
Sen Durbin, we ask you with strongest possible urgency to fight for passage of a no-cost provision in the next FY26 appropriations bill that directs HUD to renew all existing Continuum of Care grants expiring during calendar year 2026 for one 12-month period.
Rev. Phil Price, Interim Lead Pastor
Rev. Lydia Mulkey, Associate Pastor
Tara Dull, chair, Faith in Action
Ann Armstrong, co-chair, Housing Justice
Lois Thiessen Love, co-chair Housing Justice
Ann Tanner, Housing Justice
First United Church of Oak Park