This is a recording of a webinar that took place on January 13th, 2021.

Description: As the world is being responsive to hardships, we must think about all the proactive ways we can support people in Chicago around housing insecurities. A nationally recognized best practice, Shelter “Diversion” has proven to have successful outcomes and a very cost-effective way to address homelessness that reserves resources for those who are most vulnerable and have the fewest options.

Shelter Diversion is a relatively new strategy to reduce the use of emergency shelter beds and creates space for people experiencing a housing crisis to step back, have a creative problem-solving conversation, and identify alternatives to the shelter. Chicago is looking to grow our Diversion work and success through the Department of Family and Support Services and the Continuum of Care. The Introduction to Diversion webinar will provide you with an understanding of what diversion is, how it works, and what a difference it can make.

Presenter Bio: Johnna Lowe is a Senior Program Manager at Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH). She has worked in the supportive housing sector for over 11 years. She has also worked in spaces around grassroots community organizing as well as childhood development and educational supports. Johnna has a Masters’ Degree in Nonprofit Business Administration from North Park University and has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.