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How one Chicago call center works to prevent homelessness

Workers connect qualifying callers with one-time emergency aid.

A Chicago call center worker asks callers how they ended up on the verge of homelessness.
A Chicago call center worker asks callers how they ended up on the verge of homelessness.
David Wagner/KPCC

Homelessness is up 2.7% nationwide, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Despite billions in public spending, homelessness in states like California keeps going up. Some Los Angeles officials now want to do more to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. One city they’re looking to for inspiration is Chicago, where the work of one call center has had encouraging results.

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