Chicago mayor announces homelessness plan with unclear funding sources
[April 02, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Chicago officials unveiled a plan they say would
effectively end homelessness in the city, even as questions over
leadership changes and unclear funding streams cast early uncertainty
over how the plan will be implemented.
The five-year blueprint features data, recommendations and insight into
how the city might address the issue of homelessness. It contains seven
pillars to address – emergency services, housing, health, education,
employment, community cohesion and systems alignment.
Improvements to homelessness services have already been in progress
according to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, but the blueprint will
provide guidance for initiatives. The report says it aims to effectively
end homelessness, based on a framework called Functional Zero.
Sendy Soto, Chicago chief homelessness officer, was appointed to the
position by the mayor in 2023 to lead efforts creating the five-year
plan. Her departure from the position was announced by Johnson early
this week.
During media availability Tuesday, Johnson said the reason Soto's
position is ending now is solely because her duties had been fulfilled
early.
Neither Johnson, nor the report, give clear answers as to where funding
would come from for initiatives.
“I think it's imperative that we find multiple streams of revenue so
that we have more than enough, not just to deal with homelessness and
housing, but we can deal with the other critical needs that people
have,” Johnson said.
The report does not provide specifics on what, if any, new funding needs
might be placed onto taxpayers in the city, but the report provides
guidance to more efficiently use current allocations put toward the
issue.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at the Illinois State Capitol
on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square
Emily Krisciunas, executive director of Chicago Funders Together to
End Homelessness – the coalition that funded the position and
blueprint work – said the position was not intended to end after the
report concluded.
“The third and final payment on CFTEH’s grant to the City of Chicago
remains pending. CFTEH’s intent was for the Chief Homelessness
Officer to become a permanent, city-funded role,” Krisciunas said in
a statement. “CFTEH continues to believe that dedicated,
senior-level leadership in the Mayor’s Office and sustained city
investment are two key components of our collective efforts to end
homelessness.”
According to Johnson, work guided by the plan will instead be
overseen by Jonah Anderson, first deputy mayor for health and human
services, assuming an additional role as director of the Mayor’s
Office of Homelessness.
“The title, in and of itself, doesn't determine whether or not the
assignment will continue. We have, for the first time in over a
decade, we don't have families waiting for shelter if they’re
unhoused,” Johnson said.
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