DuPagePads spending $200,000 a month to offer hotel rooms to the homeless

A decision to provide hotel rooms for homeless people during the state's stay-at-home order is costing DuPagePads roughly $200,000 a month, officials say.

But the Wheaton-based nonprofit has received grant money and more than $207,000 in donations to help pay for the unplanned emergency expenses.

"There's been an outpouring from our community in terms of the financial support," said Carol Simler, president and CEO of DuPagePads. "This is a great community effort."

DuPagePads was forced to close all its overnight shelter sites in March because of the coronavirus outbreak and concerns for the health and safety of its clients, volunteers and staff.

So the organization used $42,000 from its general operating budget to start renting 20 hotel rooms for the most vulnerable. However, the demand for additional rooms quickly grew.

Now DuPagePads is renting 100 rooms at hotels and motels for about 130 people, including five families with children, so they can shelter in place.

"It was a decision we had to make," said Simler, adding she believes the move has helped prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As of this week, none of the people staying in the rooms have tested positive for the virus or exhibited symptoms.

Simler said case managers are calling clients in the emergency housing every 48 hours to check on their well-being and health. Food and supplies are brought to the rooms once a week, and laundry service is provided. Officials also are trying to transition people into permanent housing.

But with Illinois' stay-at-home order in effect until through May 30, expenses for DuPagePads will continue to mount.

Donations are being accepted on the group's website at dupagepads.org. As of Friday, the DuPagePads Emergency Response Fund had raised more than $207,000.