United Way was pleased to host Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) for a tour of the Emergency Shelter for families on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
Rep. Davis met with Sue Grey, CEO of United Way of Champaign County, Beverley Baker, United Way Director of Community Impact, Lisa Benson of Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, and Andy Quarnstrom, United Way board member and City of Champaign Township Supervisor. During the visit, they discussed local successes and challenges relating to homelessness and housing affordability in Champaign County.
The goal of the Emergency Shelter for Families program is to provide short-term, emergency shelter for families with children for up to 30 days. During their time in the shelter, families will work directly with an onsite case manager to find safe, permanent housing and get on a path to self-sufficiency. Working with a case manager is a condition of housing. There are 8 units: 7 two-bedroom units and one efficiency.
State and federal grants have been crucial for the Emergency Shelter for Families project. Renovation is nearly complete and the facility is expected to begin housing families very soon.
Thank you to Rep. Davis for visiting and recognizing the excellent collaboration that has made this shelter possible.
United Way of Champaign County is a nonpartisan organization. We work with local, state and federal lawmakers on all sides of the aisle to improve Education, Income and Health in our community.