Homelessness remains of the most pressing issues facing our country and region today. In Chicago, more than 60,000 residents experience homelessness annually, including 20,000 Chicago Public School students. A growing body of research is starting to better understand how housing instability negatively impacts families, including economic and educational outcomes for children. 

Launched in 2023, the Stability for Investment Family Housing (SIFH) is a program co-led by the Inclusive Economy Lab and GiveDirectly with funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). The program provides families experiencing homelessness with unrestricted cash to use as they see fit. The goal is to reduce homelessness for participating families and improve their overall well-being. Three rounds of funding have been given to date: 

• In 2023, 1,125 families received $9,500 in unrestricted cash  

• In June 2024, 315 families received $9,500 in unrestricted cash  

• In March 2025, 750 families received $6,500 in unrestricted cash  

The Inclusive Economy Lab expects to share initial findings from this program soon.