State officials to host Carbondale town hall on homelessness Feb. 25

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, in partnership with the City of Carbondale, will host a town hall and listening session Feb. 25 focused on strategies to prevent and end homelessness.

The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 310 S. University Ave. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Officials say the session will include an announcement regarding recent support for the Carbondale Warming Center, followed by a presentation on statewide homelessness trends and Illinois’ strategy to expand housing access and strengthen prevention efforts.

IDHS Secretary Dulce M. Quintero said the town hall is intended to strengthen partnerships with the Carbondale community and gather input from Southern Illinois residents. Illinois Chief Homelessness Officer Christine Haley said local feedback from residents, service providers and people with lived experience is critical to shaping the state’s response.

The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, housed within IDHS, leads implementation of Illinois’ statewide strategy to address homelessness and works with state agencies and community partners to coordinate services and expand access to stable housing.

For more information, contact Dianah McGreehan at 618-457-3282. Media inquiries can be directed to Public Relations Officer Eva Fisher at 618-713-0711.