Humboldt Park Social Services (HPSS) is a community-based agency serving the greater Logan Square area whose mission is "to provide comprehensive support to serve, empower and advocate for community residents experiencing homelessness or housing instability so they may obtain and maintain permanent housing." Our vision is that "HPSS will transform lives and inspire neighbors to build a stable, supported, and connected community." The agency offers a mini-continuum of services that include crisis intervention services, comprehensive supportive services, and interim housing. Since its inception, HPSS has served over 21,000 unduplicated clients. We project that in 2011 these programs will impact the lives of over 2,000 persons.

HPSS has been responding to the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1989 when the congregation of Humboldt Park United Methodist Church began an outreach ministry with a food pantry, clothing distribution and warming center. In 1990 this ministry was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency and a drop-in-center, second stage housing, and a representative payee program for SSI/SSD recipients were added.

Since then the organization has continued to enhance and develop its programs. In 2004 an organizational audit was conducted by an outside consultant who also facilitated a board strategic planning retreat that resulted in a five year plan and a revised mission statement. In September 2005, HPSS' second stage housing was converted to create 22 beds of Interim Housing. Also in 2005, HPSS converted its drop-in center to the Center for Changing Lives (CCL) to provide comprehensive supportive services in line with HPSS' mission and vision. In 2010, the Warming Center, an emergency shelter serving 40 men a night, was also converted into Interim Housing aimed at providing short-term shelter with the goal of permanent housing within 120 days. Having fulfilled all aims of the 2004 strategic plan, the agency has recently begun the process of implementing a new six year strategic plan, focusing on resource development, marketing and sustainability.

HPSS currently provides services that address obstacles that impede residents' full participation in society through three specific kinds of interventions: Emergency Services resolve immediate crises related to clients basic needs; Supportive Services aim to assist clients in overcoming barriers to housing and financial stability, and Prevention Services resolve housing crises to prevent homelessness and divert households from the shelter system. The focus of all HPSS' programs is empowering members of our community to gain stability in their lives and to maintain or become permanently housed. In order to assist families in gaining stability, HPSS provides coordinated basic need, prevention and specialized supportive services that measurably improve Logan Square residents' quality of life. By holistically addressing barriers to stability, HPSS meets basic needs making it possible for clients to focus on the hard work of addressing financial and housing stability and allowing them to avoid future episodes of homelessness.

Currently, HPSS offers emergency services to provide for the basic needs of community residents through a food and clothing pantry, household item and furniture distribution, soup kitchen and the Interim Housing programs. In addition, CCL provides supportive and prevention services, including case management, representative payee services, emergency financial assistance, income supports, financial, and employment counseling, HUD certified housing counseling and referrals to a variety of training, childcare, healthcare, recovery and other services not offered at HPSS. All of HPSS’ services are available to all community residents. We have found that the many services offered at our two locations, the integrated nature of these services and the many “touches” that clients receive while working with our staff ensure program retention and outcomes.