Chicago announced the new phase of the New Arrivals Mission on Friday to streamline the integration of new residents. The city will raise the number of personnel in landing zones, regulate buses interfering with the resettlement process, and implement a 60-day stay limit in city shelters. These measures are designed to facilitate new arrivals, generate jobs, and develop public infrastructure as per the official announcement.
A significant step towards addressing the resettlement crisis is the launch of the limited stay policy, aiming to quickly settle arrivals who were previously sleeping in stations, at airports, or outdoors. Overstaying residents may apply for new shelter at landing zones based on certain exceptions, the announcement states. This policy will roll out on a staggered basis, starting on Friday for those who entered shelters in 2022.
From November 16, 2023, extra support will be available to shelter inhabitants in partnership with the IDHS, offering temporary resettlement via ASERAP. Notably, rental assistance will drop from six to three months in order to increase beneficiary numbers as per the official announcement.
"Rogue buses" causing disruptions to the intake process will also be tackled through new regulations, which will allow Chicago to cite and impose fines on companies not respecting curfews, landing zone locations, or loading/unloading protocols, as per the announcement.
Chicago's New Arrivals Mission has helped over 10,000 new arrivals, in collaboration with Illinois State and Catholic Charities. Out of these, more than 7,000 new arrivals have been resettled and incorporated into over 2,700 households. Additionally, at least 2,500 newcomers are now residing with family, friends, or verifiable sponsors.
The FY2024 plans to budget includes investments in emergency management and family support services to further bolster the city's public infrastructure. Specifically addressing the legal, housing, and benefit needs of arrivals, the plan enhances support during their 60-day city stay. The goal is to aid as many asylum-seekers into settling down, simultaneously freeing up shelter beds for the waiting people or those in outdoor conditions, the announcement says.
Even as Chicago proactively advances their plan, the humane treatment of every arrival remains essential. By ensuring accessibility to vital resources and opportunities, the city aims at smoothly transitioning them into productive community members.
