Homelessness report highlights urgent housing needs in Kane County

Last year, more than 1,700 people experienced homelessness in Kane County, according to a recent report.

The Kane County Continuum of Care 2025 Homelessness Report and Needs Analysis showed “an urgent need for more permanent supportive housing, expanded emergency shelter capacity, increased access to mental and behavioral health services for those experiencing homelessness, and workforce development.”

The Kane County Continuum of Care (CoC) is a network of nearly 30 local agencies collaborating to prevent and end homelessness. Management of the CoC was recently moved to the Kane County Health Department in an effort to strengthen the connection between housing services and health interventions.

According to the report, seniors, people with disabilities, and families experiencing domestic violence faced significant barriers to stable housing last year.

“This report reinforces that where we live affects how well we live,” Michael Isaacson, executive director of the Kane County Health Department, said in a press release. “By integrating housing efforts within the Health Department, we are aligning services that address both the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and the broader systemic factors that impact health and well-being.”

Over 300 households in 2024 sought emergency housing after fleeing domestic violence, according to the report. An average of 367 people stay in emergency shelters each night, and more than 350 children were housed in emergency shelters or transitional housing during the data collection period.

The report showed that affordable housing is in critically short supply, with a 1% vacancy rate for low-cost rental units in Kane County.

The CoC acts as a pass-through for roughly $6 million of state and federal funds each year. It supports a variety of housing and services for homeless individuals and families, including rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter services and shelter diversion.

The report is part of a federally mandated process to assess the scope, causes, and trends of homelessness in the county. The CoC uses the information gathered for strategic planning, funding allocation and program development.