Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) is deeply saddened to hear reports of an apparent homicide outside a Loop restaurant early Sunday morning, November 23. While details remain limited, our understanding is that the victim was experiencing homelessness, which left him vulnerable to this tragic and senseless attack.
No one should have to fear for their life simply because they lack access to a safe, stable place to sleep. This individual is one of many who have lost their lives while facing homelessness in Chicago this year. This devastating incident is emblematic of the violence, trauma, and cruelty people experiencing homelessness endure every day. People living on the street or in other outdoor locations in particular face increased risks of violence and other crimes.
This vulnerability is the result of systemic failures that force tens of thousands of Chicagoans into homelessness each year. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and systemic racism push families, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions into homelessness each day.
These horrific incidents of violence are fueled by the vitriol of leaders across the country, including the current president, who intentionally vilify and ostracize people experiencing homelessness. They spread misinformation that paints unhoused people as criminals and addicts to distract us from the truth that people experiencing homelessness are victims of deliberate policy choices to exclude, marginalize, and dehumanize them.
Tragedies like this remind us that we can and must do better. We can choose to come together as a community to ensure all our neighbors have a safe place to call home, so no more lives are lost. Though we do not know his identity, we know that he, like all those who lose their lives while dealing with homelessness, deserved so much more. That’s why CCH continues to push for the sustained, meaningful funding necessary for all Chicagoans to have the opportunity to thrive.
