ERBA Homeless & Homeless Prevention Programs 

Everyone deserves a place to call home! 

The Embarras River Basin Agency offers several programs to help clients in the Illinois counties of Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming unsheltered. We want to see our customers succeed and obtain safe, affordable housing for their families, working towards financial stability. 

Clients must do their part by making decisions about their goals, providing necessary documents, participating in appointments, keeping in contact with ERBA, and locating housing opportunities that will pass our safety inspections. Our case managers are here to help guide and support you along the way. 

Please contact us before you sign a new lease to see if you are eligible for any of our programs. 

Contact your local ERBA Outreach Office to get started.  

We will do a brief intake and assign a case manager to you. Your case manager will call you back within 3 business days. 

ERBA does not offer emergency services, and we do not own or operate a shelter.  

We can refer you to emergency services and shelters in the area. 

We have many clients to serve each day, so please have patience while waiting for us to return your call. Make sure your number does not have calling restrictions.  

Clark County: 217-549-5454 

Coles (Charleston): 217-500-3120 

Coles (Mattoon): 217-961-0831 

Crawford County: 217-549-2285 

Cumberland County: 217-921-5505 

Douglas County: 217-253-4434 

Edgar County: 217-500-3090 

Jasper County: 618-783-3987 

Lawrence County: 618-943-2938 

Richland County: 618-395-2714 

If you have further questions, please contact Christa Hollinshead, Homeless Program Coordinator, at 217-923-3113 ext 274. Email: christah@erbainc.org 

If your county is not listed above, click here to find the right Community Action Agency. 

Emergency Transitional Housing 

• DHS Emergency Transitional Housing 

• The purpose of the Emergency Transitional Housing (ETH) program gives immediate and comprehensive shelter to homeless persons.   

• Requirements for Entry: Household must be literally homeless by HUD’s definition. 

• Please note that ERBA does not own or operate a shelter and is not an emergency service. We refer clients to emergency shelters and services in our area if possible. 

• At times, we can provide clients with a short-term hotel/motel stay, with a supply of food for the stay.  

• This is dependent on funding availability. The budget is limited. 

• We only use specific hotels that have agreed to accept our program vouchers.  

• Clients must follow the hotel’s rules for their stay. 

Homeless Prevention Program (back rent, mortgage, utilities) 

• DHS Homeless Prevention Program 

• The Homeless Prevention Program provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, case management and supportive services to assist households in avoiding homelessness.   

• To apply, call your local ERBA outreach office to do an intake and ask to speak to a homeless department case manager about your eligibility. The process may take some time, and an in-person appointment may be necessary. 

• Requirements for Entry:  

• Household must document a temporary economic crisis beyond household control (with proof). Some examples are: loss of employment, medical disability or emergency, loss or delay of public benefit, natural disaster, substantial change in household composition, victimization by criminal activity, illegal action by landlord, or displacement by a government or private action. 

• Household must be able to demonstrate an ability to meet future rent/utility/mortgage obligations after assistance has been granted based on current or anticipated income. Documentation is required. 

Shelter Diversion 

• DHS Shelter Diversion Program 

• The purpose of the Shelter Diversion Program is to prevent homelessness at the front door of the homelessness system by helping people identify immediate alternative housing arrangements and, if necessary, connecting them with services and financial assistance to help them remain in or return to permanent housing.    

• Eligible program participants are individuals and families who are seeking emergency shelter by accessing Coordinated Entry (CE), meet the criteria under the HUD definition of “at risk of homelessness” or be literally homeless as defined by HUD. 

• Assistance is dependent on budget, but might include: 

• Moving costs 

• Rental application fees 

• Rent, security deposits, utilities & arrearages 

• Gas cards or public transportation vouchers 

• Bus, train, or plane tickets for relocation 

Rapid Rehousing 

• HUD CoC Rapid Rehousing Program, DHS Rapid Rehousing Program, and DHS Emergency Solutions Grant 

• The purpose of the Rapid Rehousing program (RRH) is to provide medium to long-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed.   

• Requirements for Entry: Household must be literally homeless by HUD’s definition. 

• Length of Stay: CoC (Continuum of Care) policies and procedures recommend no longer than one year of assistance.  

• Some clients may receive deposit + first month’s rent.  

• Other participants may receive 100% rental assistance for six months and then begin paying 20% of rent increments (by the 13th month, the participant is paying 100% of the rent). 

• What we can offer depends on grant funding and other factors. 

Permanent Supportive Housing 

• HUD Permanent Supportive Housing and DHS Scattered site Supportive Housing Program 

• Long-term rental assistance and supportive services are provided to assist households with at least one member (adult or child) with a disability. 

• Requirements for Entry: Household must be literally homeless by HUD’s definition and one member must have a disability. Proof of disability will need to be recorded and kept in client file. All clients must be referred through our Continuum of Care (CoC)’s Coordinated Entry policies. 

• Length of Stay: There is no time limit on assistance as long as the client remains disabled, meets program requirements, and the grant has available funding. 

Other Programs 

• HUD Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement Grant 

• The purpose of the Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) grant is to help communities build a strong, resilient, and equitable homelessness response system that is less siloed and will break down barriers for youth in crisis.  

• A local Youth Action Board (YAB) is being formed, made up of youth up to age 24 who have lived experience with homelessness.  

• Meetings are held every 2 weeks either online or in person.  

• YAB members are paid for their time. 

• If you are interested in joining, please contact Shelly at 217-921-5505 ext. 277 

• DCEO Workforce Pilot Program (through October 2026) 

• The goal of the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot is to support individuals experiencing homelessness by improving employment opportunities, helping them establish financial stability and improving their ability to afford permanent housing in their community. 

• Requirements for Entry: Participant must be enrolled in a Rapid Rehousing program, or be housed in emergency shelter or hotel voucher shelter.  

• You must get approval from the program before you start employment  

• If accepted, clients can be matched with employment and supported through the process. While the client is in good standing with the workforce program, the program may cover their rent and other living expenses.  

• DCFS Norman Program 

• ERBA participates in the DCFS Housing Advocacy Program. 

• DCFS has services for families who have one or more children who are at risk of being placed in DCFS care or who have children who cannot be returned home and one of the reasons for this risk is: lack of food, lack of shelter, lack of clothing or lack of other items that if providing this service will keep your child in your care or, if the child is in DCFS custody, will help your child return home.  

• Requirements for Entry: Participants are referred to ERBA by DCFS.  

• A qualified and specially trained ERBA case manager will serve as a Housing Advocate, assisting in your housing search and placement. 

• The DCFS Norman Program, at their discretion with your DCFS case manager, may choose to provide cash assistance for items such as: 

• Security deposit 

• First month’s rent 

• Housing repairs 

• Utilities 

• Food 

• Clothing 

• Furniture 

• transportation  

Eligibility & Requirements 

Eligibility is defined by the department of Housing and Urban Development: https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HomelessDefinition_RecordkeepingRequirementsandCriteria.pdf  

Requirements vary by program. Our case managers can guide you through that process. 

Funding & Payments 

Our programs are funded through federal and state grants. Budgets and the availability of funds to spend can vary throughout the year.  

Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide financial assistance to every person who inquires. The need in our community is great. 

Each program can serve a limited number of clients, and sometimes the programs are full. There are times that clients may be placed on a waiting list to receive assistance or referred to other resources. 

Payments are never made directly to our customers. Checks are issued to verified landlords, mortgage companies, utility companies, etc.