This Sunday Chicago is forecasted to see -20 degrees Fahrenheit with windchill. And yet, once  again on Monday, the City’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication declined to  activate what it calls the “City’s Emergency Operations Plan for extreme cold conditions.”  

It is critical that in dangerous weather, the City provide clear and accurate information about  when residents can expect emergency resource activations and what those activations look like,  particularly ahead of forecasts like those expected next week.  

In November, the undersigned and growing community coalition – including elected officials,  extreme weather advocates, homeless service providers, new arrival service providers, mutual  aid organizations, medical establishments, and houses of worship – called upon the City of  Chicago to take immediate measures to protect unsheltered individuals, both longtime  Chicagoans and new arrivals, from life-threatening weather conditions, such as this week’s  temperatures.  

The City has since launched the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) to remain  open 24/7 and allow overnight rest as capacity allows. The other demands remain unmet as  lives continue to be at risk. The coalition is urging the City to implement the following life-saving  measures immediately:  

1. Deploy CTA Mobile Warming Buses: Station CTA buses at all major unhoused  encampments as mobile warming centers. These buses must welcome everyone in  need, replicating the City’s successful use of buses as cooling centers during the August  2006 heat wave.  

2. Expand Warming Center Accessibility: Open all six City-operated warming centers  24/7 to everyone. Round-the-clock access is essential to provide reliable refuge during  extreme weather events.  

3. Allow Overnight Rest: Guarantee that individuals can sleep at warming buses or  centers without being denied access. Basic human dignity must be preserved.  4. Facilitate Transportation to Shelter: Provide unsheltered individuals accessible  

transportation from warming buses and City warming centers to available shelter beds,  ensuring safe passage to more stable accommodations. 

5. Suspend Encampment Closures and Tent Removals During Winter Months: The  coalition calls for an immediate halt to encampment clearances during the winter  season, ensuring unsheltered individuals are not displaced during life-threatening  weather conditions.  

6. Raise the Winter Weather Response Threshold to 40°F, Including Wind Chill: The  City needs to update its extreme weather response plan to factor in wind chill and wet,  snowy, or windy conditions, raising the activation threshold to 40°F. This adjustment  accounts for the reality that even at 45°F, strong winds can bring the effective  temperature down to dangerous levels, such as 32°F.  

Chicago Winters Are Harsh and Deadly  

Chicago winters are notoriously cold and snowy, with average annual snowfall of about 37  inches and temperatures often ranging from 30–38°F (-1°C–3°C). However, sudden drops  below zero and strong northeasterly winds can make conditions even more dangerous. These  extreme weather conditions disproportionately affect Chicago's unsheltered population, many of  whom face severe health, mobility, and mental health challenges. Additionally, new arrivals,  who are still acclimatizing to Chicago's colder climate, face an increased risk of cold-related  injury and mortality.  

According to the 2024 “Point-in-Time” count, the number of people experiencing homelessness  in Chicago has increased significantly. With financial barriers preventing many from accessing  warming centers or shelters, countless individuals are left to endure the brutal cold.  

The Need for Action Is Urgent  

Following these immediate steps, Chicago must put forth an interagency response, and lead  and facilitate planning activities in order to reduce death and injury among people living  outdoors. Numerous residents, organizations and a supermajority of Alderpeople have called for  such planning only to be met with inaction. Now is the time to act with compassion and urgency  to mitigate the impact of the 4,000+ shelter bed gap we are facing this winter.  

The coalition stresses that these proposed measures are both achievable and life-saving.  Furthermore, they advocate for long-term reforms to Chicago’s Extreme Weather Response  Plan to prevent future tragedies and ensure that unhoused individuals are treated with  compassion and dignity.  

The time is now to update and improve the City’s extreme weather plan. Without urgent action,  lives will be at risk this winter.  

About the Coalition  

The coalition is composed of organizations and advocates committed to protecting vulnerable  Chicagoans from extreme weather. With expertise in public health, healthcare, outreach, and 

community organizing, this group is dedicated to working with City leadership to develop  sustainable solutions to homelessness and extreme weather challenges.

——————————————-  

For additional information, please contact:  

GetinTouch@extremeweatherplannerschicago.com

2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins  12th Ward Alderwoman Julia Ramirez  14th Ward Alderperson Jeylu Gutierrez  22nd Ward Alderperson Mike Rodriguez  

33rd Ward Alderperson Rossana  Rodriguez-Sanchez  

40th Ward Alderperson Andre Vasquez  46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay  

48th Ward Alderperson Leni Manaa Hoppenworth  

49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden  

19th District State Representative Lindsey  LaPointe  

19th Ward Mutual Aid  

Ada S. McKinley Community Services  Ayuda mutua D1  

Backpack Bed for Homeless Inc  BEDS Plus, Inc.  

Care for Friends  

Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness  

CHHRGE (Chicago Homelessness and  Health Response Group for Equity)  

Chicago Lights  

Chicago Street Medicine  

Cornerstone Community Outreach  

The Faith Community Initiative  

Heartland Alliance Health  

Holy Name Cathedral Suppers Ministry  Housing Action Illinois  

Illinois Venezuelan Alliance  

Indo-American Center  

Katharina Koch Staley  

Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church  Legal Council for Health Justice  

Loyola Center for Community & Global  Health  

Maxica Williams  

Mission of Our Lady of Angels  

Northwest Center  

NWS Outreach Volunteers 

Orange Tent Project  

Panas en Chicago  

Police Station Response Team  

Provincial Council Clerics of St. Viator  Red Line Service Institute  

Renaissance Social Services (RSSI)  

Rev. Joseph L. Morrow and Michael Usiak,  Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago  

Street Samaritans 

Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates  St. James Cathedral  

The Boulevard of Chicago  

The Chicago Help Initiative  

The Chicago Recovery Alliance  The Inner Voice Inc.  

The Night Ministry  

The People's Response Network  The Sanctuary Working Group  Trilogy  

University of Illinois Hospital  

West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force at  Prevention Partnership  

Worker's Center For Racial Justice 

Please read the full statement on our blog at: Coalition Calls for Expansion of Chicago’s Extreme Weather Response Plan

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of (our volunteers and donors) for their unwavering support in our shared mission to assist our neighbors grappling with homelessness.

Our Chicago community deserves far more than mere tents, and through collaboration with IIT, we embarked on the creation of a temporary structure, commencing construction on March 3.

Regrettably, on March 7 the city issued a stop work order on our structure. Despite our structure meticulously adhering to every guideline for a temporary shelter, we have engaged in numerous dialogues with Alderman Ervin, the Department of Public Affairs, and the Department of Buildings. In the spirit of cooperation, we have chosen to align our efforts with the city's directives.

While it's disheartening that we're compelled to dismantle a structure that could provide essential support, I believe that forging a collaborative path forward is in our collective best interest. Hence, I am committed to revisiting our strategies and exploring alternative avenues to address the urgent needs of our neighbors—prioritizing solutions that are prompt, dignified, and above all, safe. Together, we will navigate this challenge with resilience and compassion.

Affordable housing remains a pressing concern in Chicago, with a glaring lack of options available. It's puzzling why we haven't explored repurposing the numerous vacant buildings, shuttered due to dwindling visits during the pandemic, into low-barrier shelters or transforming them into much-needed affordable housing units. Embracing such initiatives could pave the way for addressing homelessness by prioritizing stable housing alongside comprehensive support services. By offering access to care, mental health treatment, and essential assistance, we can create a pathway towards sustainability and dignity for those in need.

Thank you,
Morgan McLuckie
CEO, The Orange Tent Project

Chicago, IL -- As temperatures plummet in Chicago, The Orange Tent Project, a leading organization dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness, is intensifying its efforts to provide essential support during the harsh winter conditions. This weekend and throughout the upcoming week, the organization is undertaking a comprehensive initiative to deliver hot meals, warm coats, and supplies to those in need.

Jim Meaney, Vice Chair and spokesperson for The Orange Tent Project, states, "Our commitment to our unhoused neighbors remains unwavering, especially during extreme weather conditions. As a community, we recognize the urgency of providing not just warmth and sustenance but also a sense of dignity and care."

The Orange Tent Project's CEO, Morgan McLuckie, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges faced by the homeless community. "This winter, we are determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Our goal is not just survival but also fostering a sense of community and support."

Distribution Details:

Tuesdays: Humboldt Park (Holman and Division Streets) and Chicago (Albany and Division Streets)

Saturdays: Canalport, Tent City (Des Plaines and Roosevelt), Lake and Clinton (leftover distribution)

Meals Provided: Over 70 meals at each Tuesday location, and 100 meals on Saturdays

Every Tuesday, The Orange Tent Project collaborates with ChiCare to source meals from Ghareeb Nawaz, and Every Saturday, they collaborate with The Chicago Help Initiative, further strengthening the network of support for the unhoused population in Chicago.

In addition to direct distribution efforts, The Orange Tent Project is proud to partner with supportive community allies hosting events to raise funds for meal distribution next week. Notable events include "The Give Back" at Blind Barber on January 18, hosted by IB Majekodunmi of the Refine Collective, an Audio Awareness show on January 13, and a special cocktail (and mocktail) of the month at Maple and Ash.

"Our ongoing work is a testament to the power of community support,” Meaney said. “Our work… is not just about surviving the cold; it’s about creating a compassionate and supportive community. We encourage and ask for Chicago’s support in this endeavor."

The Orange Tent Project invites media coverage to shed light on these critical efforts and welcomes increased support from the community. For more information on how to donate or get involved, please visit orangetentproject.org or contact Mary Kate Mack, Orange Tent Project Board Member and spokesperson.

# # #

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mary Kate Mack, Board Member
marykate@orangetentproject.org

Jim Meaney, Vice Chair
jim@orangetentproject.org

November 1, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Robledo, 773-574-2709, andy@feedingpeoplethroughplants.org

Stand in Solidarity with Our Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness on November 3rd

CHICAGO, IL – Feeding People Through Plants (FPTP), a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, today announced that they will stand with Chicago’s homeless living near the intersection of Clinton, Lake, and Milwaukee to oppose the City’s removal of the orange insulated tents on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 9:00 AM CT.

On Tuesday, October 25th, Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) tagged all the newly constructed insulated tents built by FPTP, citing Code 10-27-070, which prohibits the storage of personal property in the public way. This pushback from the city was not a surprise to FPTP and its supporters, given the complaints of luxury high-rise residents to local officials.

“The ordinance the city cites has strong language that is leveraged to justify clean sweeps of life-saving shelters of folks already struggling to survive on the streets,” says Andy Robledo, FPTP’s founder, “I have seen the city take tents without notice, so this is not a cleaning effort by the city. I strongly think it is an effort to erase the homeless problem in an affluent neighborhood.”

FPTP acknowledges that orange insulated tents are not a long-term solution for our neighbors living on the streets of Chicago. But the orange insulated tents are the difference between freezing to death or fighting to survive another day. DFSS invested $35 million to launch the Expedited Housing Initiative in 2020 and has moved more than 1,800 households into housing. But FPTP has several questions: 1) how does DFSS define “households”? 2) what is the actual number of households, based upon the aforementioned definition? 3) why is the number of households hovering around 1,800 when a recent report by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless found that at least 65,000 people were experiencing homelessness in 2020?

FPTP and its supporters will continue to serve and support Chicago’s citizens experiencing homelessness and demand transparency regarding the City of Chicago’s efforts for our homeless neighbors. Furthermore, FPTP demands a revision to the policy regarding tents in the “public way,” at least until such a time as the City’s official plan to end homelessness from 2015 has been updated to reflect the current need, and tangible steps are made to save the lives of our neighbors.

Mayor Lightfoot, FPTP understands you have a long agenda, but does that agenda no longer include standing by your promise to “fight for equity and inclusion for Chicagoans in every ward?” We’re ready for a conversation if you are, and will work alongside you to save the lives of our neighbors.

About Feeding People Through Plants

Feeding People Through Plants is a 501c3 organization that is dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Feeding People Through Plants is a hands-on, relationship first organization that not only provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing and hotel stays to our neighbors experiencing homelessness to ensure people survive, but our organization also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs. Together, we make up a network of people who want to see our neighbors experiencing homelessness have their immediate needs met but also tackle some of the larger life obstacles to try and break the cycle of chronic homelessness. Feeding People Through Plants uses our pla(n)tform and plant sales to support our mission as well as other non-profit organizations in Chicago doing the work to fight homelessness. Through direct intervention, collaborative partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, we make all of this possible. We believe in giving folks a hand up, so they can reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

https://www.feedingpeoplethroughplants.org/

October 25, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Robledo 773-574-2709 andy@feedingpeoplethroughplants.org

Humanizing Our Unhoused Neighbors One Orange Tent at a Time

CHICAGO, IL – Feeding People Through Plants (FPTP), a non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, today announced that it led the construction of more than 26 orange insulated fishing tents across the city this weekend. FPTP was able to build these lifesaving tents through the support of more than 12,000 community members who raised more than $15,000 to make this life preserving project a reality. 

“I am blown away at the overwhelming support from the community and businesses. They have enabled us to execute our mission of giving folks the opportunity to survive this winter, as they wait to get the support they need or until their name is called off a housing waiting list. We need to find real solutions to fight the homelessness in our city,” said Andy Robledo, founder of FPTP. “We cannot keep shuffling people around and ignoring the problem, which is why I am disheartened that residents of luxury high-rises near Clinton and Lake are quick to compare our homeless neighbors to rats, instead of opening the dialogue of how to find a long-term solution to the ever-growing homeless problem in our city.” One of the luxury high-rise residents went as far as stating that “If you feed the rats, it will bring more rats.” However, FPTP firmly believes that our homeless neighbors are not rats, rather they are human beings with names that deserve dignity and respect. 

FPTP’s founder and supporters are not discouraged by the demands of luxury high-rise residents or property management companies to do away with the camps in the 42nd ward of Chicago. Rather, they welcome the attention their pleas have received from Alderman Brendan Reilly and the City of Chicago, as part of FPTP’s mission is to highlight that our neighbors living on the streets in these tents need the City’s support towards a clear path to housing. Plus, many residents near Clinton and Lake have expressed that the orange insulated fishing tents are a huge upgrade to what was previously at this location. 

City of Chicago crews are scheduled to seize the orange insulated fishing tents built near Clinton and Lake today, and FPTP founder and supporters ask that there be a dialogue of how to get these folks into housing before they are yet again place into life threatening conditions. 

“Alderman Brendan Reilly and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, we do not want to continuously be challenged by the city as we work to show compassion and support to our neighbors on the street. Please partner with us and help our community help OUR CITY.” 

About Feeding People Through Plants

Feeding People Through Plants is a 501c3 organization that is dedicated to support those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.  Feeding People Through Plants is a hands-on, relationship first organization that not only provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing and hotel stays to our neighbors experiencing homelessness to ensure people survive, but our organization also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs. Together, we make up a network of people who want to see our neighbors experiencing homelessness have their immediate needs met but also tackle some of the larger life obstacles to try and break the cycle of chronic homelessness. Feeding People Through Plants uses our pla(n)tform and plant sales to support our mission as well as other non-profit organizations in Chicago doing the work to fight homelessness. Through direct intervention, collaborative partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, we make all of this possible. We believe in giving folks a hand up, so they can reach their full potential, whatever that may be.

https://www.feedingpeoplethroughplants.org/