HOUSE Liason and Resources for Housing Insecurity
House Liason
The Illinois Public Act 102-0083 requires all institutions of higher education to designate a staff member as the Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaison to assist homeless students enrolled in at the institution.
At the University of Illinois Chicago, the individual serving as a HOUSE liaison is Elizabeth Rodriguez.
Elizabeth Rodriguez is located in the Office of the Dean of Students and can be reached at elizarod@uic.edu.
Definition:
Unhoused and homeless students are those who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes situations such as:
• Shared Housing: Living with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
• Temporary Accommodations: Staying in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds because of a lack of alternative adequate housing.
• Shelters: Residing in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Abandonment: Being abandoned in hospitals.
• Inadequate Nighttime Residence: Living in places not meant for regular sleeping, such as public or private spaces.
• Substandard Living Conditions: Staying in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar environments.
Youth in Care
Internal Housing/Rental Assistance Resources
U&I Care Emergency Fund
The U and I Care Fund provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This emergency funding program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time awards (typically not exceeding $750). Emergency funding is NOT intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis.
UIC Emergency/Short-term Housing
Emergency/Short-Term Housing is available for UIC students experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Students in crisis can access immediate, emergency housing in university-owned facilities for up to 7 days. To apply, please submit a Basic Needs Form.
On Campus Housing
Apply for On Campus Housing or to learn more information, click here: https://housing.uic.edu/
Unsure about on campus housing? Please submit a Student Assistance Form to discuss your options further or create a housing plan with the HOUSE Liaison.
Interim Housing for Students During Academic Breaks
All Students who are in need of interim housing or struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity (during academic year or academic breaks) should reach out to our HOUSE Liaison.
HOUSE Liaison: Elizabeth Rodriguez (Associate Director, Student Assistance)
How to get in contact: Email elizarod@uic.edu or visit the Office of the Dean of Students.
U&I Care Emergency Fund
The U and I Care Fund provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This emergency funding program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time awards (typically not exceeding $750). Emergency funding is NOT intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis.
UIC Emergency/Short-term Housing
Emergency/Short-Term Housing is available for UIC students experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Students in crisis can access immediate, emergency housing in university-owned facilities for up to 7 days. To apply, please submit a Basic Needs Form.
Interim Housing for Winter Break
Housing options are available during school breaks for those who cannot return home.
Applications for Fall-to-Spring Interim Housing are available in the Housing Portal on November 1.
Applications for Interim Housing must be submitted in the Housing Portal no later than Wednesday, December 3 at noon. Late registrations will incur a $150 fee.
To apply and see pricing, please go to this website: https://housing.uic.edu/interim/
*Note: Only Housing residents with a current Fall assignment and a Spring assignment are eligible for the Fall-to-Spring Interim period. If this does not apply to you, please reach out to the HOUSE Liaison to create an emergency/short-term housing plan.
Summer On Campus Housing
Campus Housing offers summer housing options to both current Housing residents looking to continue living on campus as well as UIC students looking to become new residents.
Residents should apply for Summer Housing no later than April 10, 2025. Those who apply after this date will be charged a late administrative fee of $50.00 to secure Summer Housing.
Please go to this website for more information: https://housing.uic.edu/summer/
*Note: Residents for summer term must either be currently enrolled for that summer term OR the upcoming Fall semester. If you have questions about your application and availability, please email housing@uic.edu.
External Housing Resources
Housing Services & Listings: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Learn about your rights as a tenant and find housing listings. More information can be found on the HUD website.
The following resources may also help you find short-term housing:
• Chicago Craigslist: This online service lists apartment vacancies, including sublets and temporary housing. Search for apartments near campus by filtering for the University Village, Greektown, South Loop, West Loop, Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown neighborhoods.
• Chicago Getaway Hostel: Provides short-term, dormitory-style, and private room accommodations.
• HomeSuite: Search for already-furnished rental properties.
• Places4Students: A resource for finding student housing.
• Rotating Room: Allows students to find and post sublets across the country for rotations.
• Sublet.com: An online apartment locator service for short- and long-term leasing. Look for listings in University Village, Greektown, South Loop, West Loop, Pilsen, Little Italy, and Chinatown neighborhoods.