Project is investment in our communities

Every year in Illinois, approximately 15,000 people leave prison and attempt to rebuild their lives. For many, that effort begins with a major obstacle: finding a stable place to live. Without housing, the path to employment, education and long-term stability becomes significantly more difficult.

That is why Home for Good is such an important step forward. By creating a statewide strategy to provide housing and support services for people returning from prison, Illinois has an opportunity to address a critical gap in its reentry system. Stable housing is one of the most effective tools to reduce recidivism, yet too many individuals are left to navigate this challenge on their own.

Home For Good recognizes that housing alone is not enough. The program would expand access to wraparound services like job training, behavioral and physical health care, transportation and childcare. These resources are essential for maintaining employment and achieving long-term stability. This program is meant to ensure people are not just housed but set up to succeed.

When returning citizens can work and contribute to the economy, communities become more stable. Reduced recidivism means fewer crimes, fewer victims and lower costs for taxpayers. At a time when Illinois spends billions annually on corrections, investing in solutions that prevent repeat incarceration is both fiscally responsible and forward-thinking.

The impact that this program will have on people of color and low-income individuals is also important as they are impacted by incarceration and the challenges of reentry at disproportionate rates.

Illinois has the chance to move from a reactive system to a proactive one that prioritizes stability, safety and long-term success. Home for Good is a smart investment in people, communities and the future of our state.

Katie Eighan, Continuum of Care Planning Director

Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County

Arlington Heights