CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Strides Shelter, a low-barrier homeless facility supported by the City of Champaign Township, is undergoing treatment for bedbugs after an infestation was discovered over the weekend.
According to Township Supervisor Kyle Patterson, the insects were found by a guest Saturday night in a room separate from the main sleeping area. Exterminators treated the facility on Wednesday, requiring all guests to temporarily leave during the eight- to nine-hour spraying process. “When the building is sprayed for that, we do have to clear out at least the areas which are being sprayed,” Patterson said.
Spraying is expected to continue into next week. Patterson noted that the township is exploring long-term prevention options, including purchasing specialized devices to help mitigate future infestations.
But the bugs are just one of several issues facing the shelter. Patterson revealed that Strides is grappling with a looming financial crisis. Current funding is set to expire in February 2026, with no new revenue sources yet secured. “If we can’t find a solution, a closure is a real possibility,” Patterson said. “That would mean 74 people would no longer have a place to sleep at night.”
Patterson emphasized that staff are actively seeking additional funding and are working with community partners to develop contingency plans in the event of a shutdown. “We would work with our guests to try to relocate if we can,” he said. “But it’s definitely going to be a big operation if we have to do that.”
Strides serves some of Champaign’s most vulnerable residents, offering shelter without strict entry requirements. Its potential closure would create a significant gap in the city’s homeless services network.