Funds Raise Hopes For Homeless As Temperatures Drop In DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY — As snow blankets the ground and temperatures plummet, DuPage County has joined forces with DuPage Foundation to donate close to $400,000 to DuPage Pads in an effort to keep homeless residents warm.

The efforts began after April Redzic, DuPage Pads President and CEO, appealed to the County Board for help as the shelter's interim housing facility was at capacity. Meanwhile, the waitlist for a space at DuPage Pads was growing ever longer.

The board at DuPage Pads was able to offer $150,000. The donation was bolstered by $200,000 from the DuPage County affordable housing fund and $190,000 from the Emergency Fund at DuPage Foundation.

"The problem of housing insecurity is pervasive, impacting our communities more each day,” DuPage County County Board Chair Deborah Conroy said in a statement. “I’m proud to work with DuPage Foundation to support DuPage Pads and make an impact to help our residents achieve stability and self-sufficiency. I hope we can build upon this partnership to find new, long-term strategies to get ahead of the need and make a lasting impact.”

This isn't the first time DuPage County has risen to the call to help DuPage Pads. In 2021, the board unanimously voted to donate $5 million to help the organization by a defunct hotel site in Downers Grove and transform the property into an interim housing facility.

"The County Board and DuPage Foundation’s support for our work to save lives through emergency shelter is incredible. We’re so grateful for their help," Rezdic said. "People who had been on our waitlist going into this cold weather can have a safe bed when temperatures are below freezing."

She added, "Our county has played a huge role in DuPagePads’ efforts to meet the growing need in our community."