CU at Home recently announced that they were pausing their operations, and on May 12 temporarily closed their shelter for our community’s residents without an address that are not currently enrolled in the C-19 Shelter to Housing Voucher Program. The pause in services is due to a significant staffing shortage. Both the building and the surrounding property will be closed except for shower opportunities and mail pick up Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm beginning May 13th. CU at Home anticipates reopening shelter operations on June 14 with additional staff and policies and procedures to provide the best services.
Immediately upon learning of the announcement, City staff have been actively engaged on a daily basis with community partners from the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless to develop solutions to this challenge. All residents without an address were offered the opportunity to meet with a member of the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless to develop a housing plan. Over 40 individuals were assessed in order to address their shelter and service needs. This collaborative effort included COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, transportation planning, and exploration of temporary shelter options locally and in other Central Illinois communities. City staff will continue to work with community partners to address this challenge.