Homelessness can be caused by many factors or a combination of them, from pandemics to low-paying or lost jobs, family crises, health challenges/costs, natural disasters/costs, substance abuse, release from incarceration or aging out of foster care (no or low incomes), and an overall lack of a support system as a backstop. Every individual’s story is unique and complex, so there is no single reason nor is there a one-size-fits-all solution to prevent or end homelessness. But most situations are tied in some way to economics, poverty, and/or mental health.

Collinsville's vision for addressing homelessness is based on these guiding principles:

1. Public safety is our priority. While it is not a crime to be homeless, we will seek enforcement when crimes occur. Additionally, we will seek a balance for use of public facilities and assets so that all community members feel welcome and safe.
2. Wise investment of local and federal funding. We will collaborate with the County and State levels to achieve meaningful, focused results.
3. Strong nonprofit collaborations. We will collaborate with Madison County, St. Clair County, and metro east based non-profits and work to support successful programs by our community partners for wrap-around services tailored to each person/family experiencing homelessness.
4. Regional share of the costs/impacts. Collinsville will be 'at the table' in regional discussions and solutions to seek a regionwide approach to addressing homelessness.

How can I help a person/family experiencing homelessness and who wants help?

Because homelessness can and does occur with elderly, veterans, families, single men, single women, couples, and families, there are many different agencies and services available to meet individual sheltering, medical and basic needs.  Thank you for your concern, compassion, and for wanting to find humane and respectful ways to help people who are experiencing homelessness in Collinsville and the Metro East. The link below is a comprehensive list of provides available in the Metro East.

Help & Resources

Homeless Bill of Rights

In 2013, the State of Illinois passed the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. It is the long-standing policy of the State that no person should suffer unnecessarily from cold or hunger, be deprived of shelter or the basic rights incident to shelter, or be subject to unfair discrimination based on his or her homeless status. At the present time, many persons have been rendered homeless as a result of economic hardship, a severe shortage of safe and affordable housing, and a shrinking social safety net. It is the intent of this Act to lessen the adverse effects and conditions caused by the lack of residence or a home.

 Sec. 10. Bill of Rights.
    (a) No person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged solely because he or she is homeless. Such a person shall be granted the same rights and privileges as any other citizen of this State. A person experiencing homelessness has the following rights:

1. the right to use and move freely in public spaces, including but not limited to public sidewalks, public parks, public transportation, and public buildings, in the same manner as any other person and without discrimination on the basis of his or her housing status;
2. the right to equal treatment by all State and municipal agencies, without discrimination on the basis of housing status;
3. the right not to face discrimination while maintaining employment due to his or her lack of permanent mailing address, or his or her mailing address being that of a shelter or social service provider;
4. the right to emergency medical care free from discrimination based on his or her housing status;
5. the right to vote, register to vote, and receive documentation necessary to prove identity for voting without discrimination due to his or her housing status;
6. the right to protection from disclosure of his or her records and information provided to homeless shelters and service providers to State, municipal, and private entities without appropriate legal authority; and the right to confidentiality of personal records and information in accordance with all limitations on disclosure established by the federal Homeless Management Information Systems, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the federal Violence Against Women Act; and
7. the right to a reasonable expectation of privacy in his or her personal property to the same extent as personal property in a permanent residence.

    (b) As used in this Act, "housing status" means the status of having or not having a fixed or regular residence, including the status of living on the streets, in a shelter, or in a temporary residence.