Illinois Student, Outdoor Homeless Numbers Rise

Illinois officials have released a new Home Illinois plan aimed at preventing and ending homelessness from fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The report highlights a troubling rise among young people: more than 63,000 students were identified as experiencing homelessness during the 2024–25 school year, up 30 percent in three years. While overall homelessness across Illinois fell 6 percent between 2025 and 2026, unsheltered homelessness moved sharply in the other direction. The number of people living outdoors, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings rose 22 percent. State leaders say the plan will guide coordinated efforts to expand housing stability and prevention programs statewide.