Upcoming Urbana City Council Agenda Includes Multiple Resolutions to Address Homelessness

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana City Council is preparing to vote on a handful of initiatives to fight against homelessness in the area.

Nine resolutions are on Monday’s meeting agenda, totaling more than $1 million for various different projects. WCIA previously reported this week on money that could be on its way to C-U at Home: A nonprofit helping people experiencing homelessness create goals for a better future. Its currently renovating a new mid-barrier shelter.

On Tuesday, a funding agreement was passed with the City of Champaign for up to $408,555. If Monday’s vote in Urbana goes in its favor, there could be a $320,000 addition to those funds.

“What it really signals to us as an organization is that the City of Champaign and the City of Urbana recognize that homelessness is an issue in both of those communities,” said Melissa Courtwright, Executive Director of C-U at Home. “And so to have Urbana come alongside us, really step up to the plate and support this project means a great deal to us and to our community.”

Strides Shelter, Champaign County Health Care Consumers and Cunningham Township CARES are other groups with money on the table. The largest agreement on Monday’s upcoming agenda is Hope Village at $1 million. Construction there started on the tiny home village at the end of July.