Connect to End Homelessness

A unified community response

About Coordinated Entry

Coordinated Entry is the front door to connect people facing homelessness to housing and supports in an accessible, equitable, transparent manner. This allows all partners to collaborate to improve access and outcomes for people without permanent housing while delivering trauma informed services. People facing homelessness are asked to complete a Housing Assessment and linked to housing, if eligible, as opportunities become available.

People facing homelessness can find information about Coordianted Entry via "Connect to End Homeless": this tool guides users through a personalized survey to determine eligibility for Coordinated Entry Access points and other resources. People can complete the survey by using the Connect to End Homelessness chat window or by texting "connect" to 773-786-9916.

Shelter Access in Cook County Suburbs

View shelter options and next steps by clicking here.

Shelter Access In Chicago

Please visit any hospital emergency room or police station in Chicago, or call 311 and request transportation to shelter.


Single individuals can request shelter in person at the Chicago Garfield Service Center.
10 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm

Families with children can request shelter at the Salvation Army Shield of Hope at any time.
924 N Christiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
Useful Links

Chicago Coordinated Entry System

All Chicago: Making Homelessness History

Suburban Coordinated Entry System

Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County

About the Bravely Engineered Navigator (B.E.N.)

B.E.N. represents a robot who knows a lot about the homeless experience. He helps personalize the survey-taking process. DataMade (a civic technology company in Chicago) designed B.E.N. and Connect to End Homelessness in partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (a non-profit that advances supportive housing solutions).