City Announces Texting as a Way for People to Support the Homeless

For immediate release: December 15, 2017

ChicagoMayor Rahm Emmanual, city officials and representatives from Chicagos Committee
on Housing and Economic Development today announced text messaging as a way for people
to donate money to support the homeless in Chicago as an alternative to giving money when
approached by panhandlers and homeless asking for money.

Chicagoans with a desire to help the homeless can now text Share to 80077 to make a
contribution to help support the homeless living on the streets of Chicago. Each donation will
then be matched dollar for dollar to invest in housing, jobs and services for the homeless.

The Director of the Office of Homeless Services said, this is about alternatives, other ways we
can help those on the street by providing more funding for housing, jobs, and services. Quite
simply, if Chicagos homeless shelters have more funds, they can reach more people.

The creation of the Fund through a city ordinance is before the Committee of Housing and
Economic Development today. The goal is to ensure safety, respect and dignity for everyone
living in Chicago. The City will aim to amend 5-8-130 of the Code to provide that fees from
housing penalties will go towards matching each donation, as well as created an ordinance to
set up the Housing Opportunities through Many Efforts Fund.

I am pleased with the potential of this ordinance which will bring together the City of Chicago
to help homeless individuals especially during the holiday season. This Fund will help us to
expand the necessary services; housing, jobs and treatment that are needed to help combat the
problem, said the Founder of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The ordinance is expected to pass unanimously. A public education campaign will then run
throughout the year featuring widespread public distribution of colorful two-sided palm cards
carrying bold messages encouraging the public to make your change count by donating via
text message directly to local programs and initiatives that provide housing and services to
homeless people.

For Educational Purposes Only

Submitted for Legislative Advocacy
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Fall 2017