Information on this page was accurate when posted but is subject to change without notice.
UPDATES
Updates will be posted here when available.
Coordinated Entry-Centralized Intake for Homeless Assessments
If you are experiencing homelessness and live in Champaign County, Centralized Intake for Homeless (CIH) may be able to connect you to a homeless assistance program that can help. Please email to inquire about CIH and to schedule your assessment. To begin the CIH process, you will be asked to provide the following: third party homeless verification (obtained from local emergency shelter providers), photo ID, Social Security card(s), birth certificate of minor child(ren), disability verification (if applicable). When a homeless assistance program has a vacancy and you are the next eligible household based on the prioritization established by the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless, you will be referred to the homeless assistance program. Each homeless assistance program has individual and specific eligibility requirements.
Contact: Email [email protected].
Shelters for Adults
Strides Low Barrier Shelter (City of Champaign Township)
Strides Shelter provides year-round, full day, shelter services to adults. This program does not require sobriety, abstinence, or criminal background check to participate in services. The right to self determination is not only preserved but encouraged by the program so that the community members determines what they consider success and how they will achieve success. Case managers are assigned to every community member that utilizes the shelter, but ultimately the community member makes the decision on how and when they would like to interact with the case manager. Daytime services are available to assist with linking to community resources, on-site groups, laundry, and shower facilities.
To access winter shelter: 1. Do an intake at Strides between 8 am-5 pm. 2. Go back to Strides and check-in between 7-10 pm. 3. Provide a phone number and email if you have one. 4. Check in with Strides about shelter options after screening. You do not need to agree to stay at Strides to do an intake for shelter options.
Location: 70 E Washington, Champaign
Contact: 217-403-6150
C-U at Home
C-U at Home is a Mid-Barrier program that provides 24/7 stability to assist people who are experiencing homelessness. The program is for individuals eighteen and over. Clients must complete an intake which includes a client history and physical capabilities screening. Clients must agree to participate in the program. Each client who participates in the program receives shelter in a non-congregate environment and intensive case management. C-U at Home houses eight women and sixteen men with a small number of overflow options available. The program can last up to 18 months. Interested clients should contact C-U at Home or come to the office Monday-Friday between 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
Location: 309 S Neil St., Champaign
Shelters for Families and Children
Emergency Shelter for Families with Children
To inquire about the Emergency Shelter for Families (ESF), please contact the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (see below). One or more parents (or legal guardian) age 18 or over with child(ren) under the age of 18 and Champaign County residents. Family household size is a maximum of six people. The head of the household needs to be biologically or legally related to the child(ren). Expecting women with no current children may be housed by program (must be in last trimester of pregnancy). Guests will be allowed weekly increments of stay, up to 30 days, as long as the guests are actively participating in case management services and working toward finding a more stable housing option.
Contact: Email [email protected]. If you do not have access to email call 217-328-3313 and request an email be sent on your behalf.
Families with Urbana School Children
Cunningham Township runs an emergency shelter program for families with children enrolled in the Urbana School District or who have children staying overnight at Crisis Nursery who have no other place to stay. The program offers eight units which have a full kitchen and are fully furnished. Families are prioritized based on need and must be screened prior to placement. The program duration is between 30-90 days as long as the families are actively participating in case management services and working toward finding a more stable housing option.
Contact: Ask your Urbana School Counselor or Crisis Nursery to make a referral.
Crisis Nursery
Crisis Nursery is the only emergency-based child care facility open 24 hours, 365 days a year serving ages birth through six. It is open for the entire community to access with no fees or income eligibility. Besides safe shelter for children, they provide home visiting, play groups, support groups, case management and parenting education to strengthen parent skills and confidence. In addition to the services listed above Crisis Nursery provides diapers, formula, clothing, etc. to any community members in need. Emergency transportation support to and from the Nursery is available for families. Crisis Nursery believes that asking for help is a sign of strength. Families who may be experiencing a crisis are welcome to call to begin the process of scheduling care for their child(ren).
Contact: Call 217-337-2730 or Text 217-636-4221
Food
Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen’s mission is to feed the hungry of our community. Hot meal served seven days a week with an option of a hot nutritional mean in a biodegradable clam shell box from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Location: 116 N. First St., Champaign
Contact: 217-356-7687
Website: dailybreadsoupkitchen.com
Canteen Run
The Canteen Run is a mobile truck that offers food, drinks, blankets, and human kindness to those on the streets Mondays-Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Drivers are needed and require a background check. Training is provided on the spot.
Contact: [email protected] or 217-369-9344
Website: cucanteenrun.org
The Jubilee Café
Located in the basement of the Community United Church of Christ in Campustown, the volunteer-based café provides fresh, home-cooked meals every Monday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm to college students, as well as local residents, who struggle with food insecurity.
Location: 805 S. Sixth St., Champaign
For a list of other food pantries and little free pantries review this map or call 211 or 888-865-9903.
Daytime Warming/Cooling Centers
Salvation Army Daytime Warming Center
The Salvation Army Red Shield Center on Market Street also serves as a daytime warming center Mondays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Capacity is limited due to space and staffing.
Location: 2212 N. Market St., Champaign
Homeless Veterans
Homeless veterans needing shelter should call the number below.
Contact: 217-278-9897
Other Daytime Warming/Cooling Options
Public buildings, including libraries and municipal, state and federal buildings, during normal business hours.
Click here to see a map of cooling center locations (map maintained by the C-U Public Health District).
General Services
Courage Connection
Individuals or families fleeing domestic violence should contact Courage Connection’s Domestic Violence hotline which is open 24/7. If you are in immediate danger call 911.
Contact: 1-877-384-4390
Rape Crisis Hotline
Hotline is available 24x7x365.
Contact: 217-384-4444
Mental Health Assistance
Contact a mental health professional free of charge.
Contact: Text TALK to 552020 (for English service) or text HABLAR to 552020 (for Spanish service)
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Available 24×7. Specialized intervention by certified crisis workers with advanced training in de-escalation and clinical suicide prevention.
Contact: Dial 988. For Veteran Crisis Line Dial 988 then press 1.
The Salvation Army Stepping Stone Program and Daytime Warming Center
Stepping Stone is a transitional Housing Program which offers temporary housing for men, women and families who are employed full time and can be housed in 60-90 days. Individuals must follow the program guidelines of maintaining employment while housed. Individuals needs to present as homeless and have homeless verification. If participant(s) meet the criteria for placement they must commit to working the program. Capacity is limited due to the availability of hotel space.
Contact: Call 217-373-7832 extension 230 before referring.
Additional Resources
City of Champaign Township
General Assistance
General Transitional Assistance (GTA) is a program for mentally or physically disabled persons who absolutely cannot work. These individuals are single adults with no dependents and are applying or have applied for both SSI and SSDI. This program, upon approval, will provide a monthly stipend of $325 until the person is approved for Social Security payments or no longer qualifies for GTA. Applicant must live in the Champaign city limits and cannot have a class X or class 1 drug felony conviction after August 21, 1996.
Contact: Dawn at 217-403-6123
Emergency Rental Assistance
For households that currently have a past due balance of $800 or less and have a landlord’s notice to vacate OR a household moving into the City of Champaign Township limits and are considered literally homeless by HUD standards that may need assistance with a security deposit. Clients must prove household income and they also cannot have received ANY rental assistance in the past two years from either Champaign or Urbana organizations. The grant is issued once every two years.
Contact: Phelicia at 217-403-6122.
Cunningham Township
For Urbana residents only. General Assistance (monthly check) for those out of work or disabled seeking SSI, Rental Assistance for homeless needing move in assistance, or those facing evictions, and food pantry deliveries. Serves residents regardless of immigration or citizen status.
Location: 205 W. Green St., Urbana
Contact: Apply for help online at cunninghamtownship.org, call 217-384-4144, email [email protected], or visit the office in person. Hablamos Español a 847-701-4217.
Regional Office of Education
The Regional Office of Education is a resource for homeless families with children and youth who are of school age. Pre-school aged children also receive services to ensure access to early childhood and preschool programs. Verification of school enrollment will be required. Services include providing school supplies, physical education clothing, transportation, alarm clocks, or special school fees such as those for field trips, pictures, and book clubs. In addition, funding is available for tutoring and to assist with the cost of educational summer programs.
Contact: 217-893-3219 (Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm)
Community Resource Center
Community Resource Center at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center. Hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Call hours are 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Contact: 217-337-2635
