IBHE established the End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) grant to support institutions in addressing the root or systemic causes of homelessness and basic-needs insecurity among students. The state’s higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth calls for closing equity gaps for students who have been left behind, in part, by addressing student support needs, including housing insecurity and other basic needs. This grant is intended to support and supplement the work already taking place at the institutions under the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act to address the housing insecurity and provide pathways to long-term stability for youth in care, at-risk, or currently experiencing homelessness. The agency is seeking proposals that address homelessness, housing insecurity, and basic needs insecurity in holistic and transformational ways to improve completion and retention rates. Priority will be given to institutions that foster collaboration between local K-12 schools and HOUSE Liaisons to facilitate the transition to college for already identified housing insecure students or youth in care. More information about applying for an FY25 ESHI grant can be found in the documents attached below.