CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — In response to the growing number of families facing homelessness in the area, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) has launched its Winter Overflow Emergency Shelter for Families with Minor Children. The seasonal program, which began November 3, 2025, and will run through April 3, 2026, provides immediate relief for families seeking shelter during the cold winter months when many local shelters are operating at full capacity.

In Champaign County, for families wanting to move into more permanent housing, there are currently 16 apartment-style units. Currently, all of them are full, and there are 20 families now on the waiting list—an increase from 5-7 families last year. So far, they have housed four households of 10 people for a total of 30 nights.

Families should arrive at the screening location to determine their eligibility for overnight shelter between 7-7:30 p.m. The shelter intake center, located at 307 S. Neil Street in Champaign, opens at 7 p.m. each night for assessment of families with at least one child under 18. The shelter offers warm, indoor sleeping spaces shared with other families and provides assigned beds with limited privacy.

“Providing a warm and safe place for families to stay is crucial during these cold months,” said Jessie Heckenmueller, the Community Services Director of the Champaign County RPC. “This initiative not only helps families in immediate need but also collects data that will inform future efforts to expand family shelter options.”

Families seeking shelter are reminded to bring only what they need for the night, with some items not allowed. There is no screening at the shelter itself, so families must first visit the designated screening location during the specified hours to receive approval for housing.

U.C.C.O Foundation’s founder Domica Light talked about how finding the right people to staff this shelter is absolutely crucial. “After 18 years of serving this community in a social services capacity, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to have compassionate, well-trained individuals who truly understand the needs of families in crisis. It’s our responsibility to ensure that the staff at this shelter are not only equipped to meet their immediate needs, but also to support their long-term well-being.”

Program Director Lisa Benson says “family restoration is at the heart of our focus. This shelter offers more than just a roof over their heads—it provides a safe space for families to rebuild, reconnect, and take steps toward stability.”

In addition to RPC, funding partners include the Housing and Homeless Innovations II grant (City of Urbana,) the Emergency Housing Supportive Services grant (Housing Authority of Champaign County), U.C.C.O. Foundation and New Covenant Fellowship Church, the Champaign Park District, Starcrest Cleaners, and the Farnsworth Group. The program is funded by the Housing and Homeless Innovations II grant, helping ensure that vulnerable families are not left exposed to freezing temperatures.

For more information on the Winter Overflow Emergency Shelter or to find out how to contribute, visit the RPC website at www.ccrpc.org.