Illinois Housing and Shelter
Illinois Housing, Shelter & Reentry-Friendly Options
This directory lists housing and shelter resources across Illinois that may support people on probation, parole, or other community supervision. Some focus on emergency shelter, others on rental assistance, supportive housing, or transitional programs. Rules can depend on your charges, background check, and supervision conditions — always verify with your officer before moving or entering a program.
Chicagoland & Cook County
✅ Verified Coordinated Entry & Housing Support
Coordinates homelessness response in Chicago, including prevention, rapid rehousing, and access to the city’s coordinated entry system.
Provides long-term rent subsidies for very low-income Chicago households through partner landlords and agencies.
Offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs for individuals and families.
🛠️ Eligible Transitional & Community Housing
The Chicago area has multiple sober homes and transitional houses that may accept people on probation or parole, but rules vary widely.
Many landlords use background checks and have their own policies about convictions. Some may be open to second-chance renters with references.
Northern Illinois / Rockford
✅ Verified Homeless Services & Housing Help
Day center providing case management, basic needs, and housing-focused services for people experiencing homelessness.
Provides supportive housing and services for individuals and families dealing with mental health and housing instability.
🛠️ Eligible Community Action & Rental Help
County-level community action agencies may offer rental assistance, security-deposit help, and referrals to local shelters.
Central Illinois – Springfield, Peoria & Bloomington
✅ Verified Homeless & Housing Services
Offers emergency shelter and supportive housing services for adults experiencing homelessness in Springfield.
Provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and other basic-needs services for individuals and families.
🛠️ Eligible Rental Assistance & Local Programs
Local PHAs administer public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Some PHAs have reentry or preference programs for people with justice involvement.
Southwest Illinois / Metro East
✅ Verified Regional Shelter & Housing Resources
Metro East communities participate in Continuum of Care networks that coordinate shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing.
🛠️ Eligible Faith-Based & Transitional Housing
Parish-based programs sometimes offer emergency shelter vouchers, rental help, or referrals to partner housing.
Southern Illinois
✅ Verified Shelters & Community Action
Provides emergency shelter and transitional housing services in the Carbondale area.
Offer utility and rental assistance, and may connect residents to local shelters and supportive housing programs.
🛠️ Eligible Room Rentals & Shared Housing
Some people look for rooms through word-of-mouth or online listings. These can be risky if expectations and rules are not clear.
Important: Being listed here does not guarantee that any provider will accept your application, charges, or supervision status. Housing programs have their own intake rules and background checks.
Before you move or enroll: review your judgment and sentence, probation or parole order, and any residency restrictions, and get written approval from your officer when possible.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a housing provider, landlord, or law firm. We do not place you in housing, negotiate leases, or guarantee that any program satisfies court or supervision conditions.
