WINTER SHELTER TEMPORARY LODGING SERVICES RFP

Description: PURPOSE: The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to identify a qualified vendor current on any City Hotel/Motel taxes, to provide an approximate 60 hotel rooms for the purpose of winter sheltering from November 2026 through April 2027. The lack of shelter for unhoused individuals is a health and safety risk for one of our most vulnerable populations and serves as a growing crisis as winter months approach. This RFP is intended to address the gap in appropriate shelter options by identifying a provider with the space and capacity to provide temporary lodging. Posting Questions? Contact: Rachel Joy 205 W. Park Ave. Suite 200 Champaign IL 61820, equityandengagement@champaignil.gov    Champaign City Council Set Goals and Key Projects to Address Homelessness.  The City Council held (Special Study Sessions 2025-031) on October 7, 8, and 21, 2025, to discuss and establish the Council goals and key projects for the 2025-2027 Council term. During this process, addressing homelessness in the community was a prevalent theme. City staff presented the proposed goals and key projects at the December 16, 2025, study session (Study Session 2025-038 (Archive) and Council formally adopted the goals and key projects for the 2025-2027 Council term at the January 6, 2026, regular meeting (Council Bill 2026-001). Council adopted the goal and key project listed below that relates specifically to addressing homelessness in our community.   Council Goal: Support our Vibrant, Diverse Neighborhoods Key Project: Develop a blueprint for addressing housing needs and homelessness throughout the City.   By adopting a Council goal and key project focused on housing needs and the development of a homelessness prevention blueprint, Council reaffirmed its commitment to addressing homelessness. Specifying a key project to develop a blueprint creates a structured, intentional process for developing a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable response to homelessness in the community. This allows staff to focus on assessing current conditions, identifying gaps in services, and engaging community partners in the creation of a shared strategy. This approach ensures that future actions are informed by data, best practices, stakeholder input, and ongoing, proactive collaboration efforts. Ultimately, setting the goal and key project to develop a blueprint lays the foundation for a more aligned, effective, and sustainable plan to prevent and end homelessness.   The Homelessness Prevention Blueprint was presented to Council during a study session on May 26, 2026  (Study Session 2026-018) and later adopted by Council at a regular meeting on August 18,2026 (Council Bill 2026-122 and Council Bill 2026-123)