Chicago Homeless youth providers and state legislators called on Gov. Bruce Rauner to work with the General Assembly to end the budget stalemate so homeless youth are no longer put at risk for physical, sexual, and emotional harm. The participants did so at a Wednesday rally outside the Thompson Center, led by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and including State Reps. Greg Harris and Will Guzzardi.
"Everyday Springfield fails to choose revenue is a day that homeless youth are put in serious danger. It's time to put non-budget demands aside and fund these vital services that keep our young people safe," said Flora Koppel, executive director of Unity Parenting and Counseling Center, an agency with several housing programs for homeless youth.
Since July 1, the state has failed to fund homeless providers and critical support services for youth. Without the funding, homeless youth will go without shelter. Advocates called attention to statistics concerning the dangers unsheltered youth face, including:
- Unsheltered youth are three times more likely to be forced into prostitution and twice as likely to be raped or assaulted or to exchange sex for survival needs, like food.
- Unsheltered youth are more likely to fall victim to sexual exploitation, and 28% of youth living on the street trade sex for basic needs, such as food or shelter.
- 63% of youth on the street experience physical violence or victimization while homeless.
- Half of street youth did not have a regular source of health care.
"The choice couldn't be clearer: Choose revenue or let our youth be harmed on the streets. It is unconscionable that our state leaders would stand by and allow this to continue," said Chris Bohlander, associate director of Neon Street Dorm, a program of Heartland Human Care Services.
CCH helped conduct a new survey that shows 77% of homeless youth providers in Illinois have already reduced or eliminated services, or will be forced to make those cutbacks if the budget impasse continues. The report also found that the budget crisis has forced, or will soon force, almost all homeless service agencies surveyed - 90% to deny assistance to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
"Harm is being done right now. The governor and the General Assembly must focus all their energy on resolving the impasse and agree to a budget with adequate revenue to fund critical services for youth, families, and communities," said CCH Policy Director Julie Dworkin.