HOUSING STABILITY & HOMELESS PREVENTION

Finding a path toward safe, stable housing starts with knowing where to turn

Project NOW helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability understand their options, connect with available resources, and take the next step toward greater stability.

Start Here

HOW CAN WE HELP?

What Best Describes Your Situation?

Housing needs can look different for everyone. Choose the option that most closely describes your current situation. Each short form will help Project NOW understand your needs and connect you with the appropriate next step.

Housing Shelter

I am experiencing homelessness

If you are staying in a shelter, outside, in your vehicle, or somewhere not meant for people to live, explore your local outreach services.

Explore Outreach Services
Housing Loss

I am at risk of losing my housing

If you are behind on rent, facing eviction, or experiencing another crisis that could affect your housing, begin with the Housing Services.

Explore Housing Services

Not sure which service to use? Choose the option that best matches your situation. Project NOW staff will review your information and help direct you to the appropriate available services.

START HERE

Your First Steps Toward Housing Support

Complete a short Housing Services Assessment to tell us about your current housing situation. Your responses will help Project NOW identify appropriate next steps, including whether you need to complete or update Coordinated Entry.

1
COMPLETE A SERVICES ASSESSMENT

Answer questions about your current housing situation, such as whether you are housed, experiencing homelessness, facing eviction or behind on rent.

2
Confirm Coordinated Entry status

Tell us whether you have completed Coordinated Entry. If you need to complete it, a team member will contact you to help arrange the next step.

3
UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AS NEEDED

If you are already on the Coordinated Entry list, let us know whether your contact information, household details or housing situation have changed.

4
Receive Personalized Next Steps

Based on your assessment, you will receive an email connecting you with programs or resources that may fit your situation, such as Rent and Deposit Assistance, Eviction Diversion or a Supportive Housing referral.

Disclaimer: Completing the Housing Services Assessment does not guarantee eligibility, financial assistance, housing placement or enrollment in a program. Recommendations are based on the information provided, program requirements, available funding and current capacity.

Complete the Housing Services Assessment

This assessment is the first step. It is not the Coordinated Entry assessment or a guarantee of assistance.

HOUSING PROGRAMS

Support for the Path Ahead

Housing support looks different for everyone.
Project NOW offers housing programs designed to help eligible individuals and families move toward greater stability and eventual self-sufficiency. The program that may be appropriate depends on your housing situation, eligibility, individual needs, and available resources.

Explore Housing Programs
Housing Casework

45

Households in Permanent Supportive Housing

58

Households in Rapid Rehousing

432

People Supported through Homeless prevention

HOUSING PROGRAMS

Explore Housing Programs & Support

Project NOW offers several programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Complete the Housing Services Assessment to receive information about programs and resources that may fit your circumstances. Eligibility, funding and availability vary by program.

Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing are accessed through Coordinated Entry. Project NOW placements for these programs are selected from eligible households on the Coordinated Entry list. The Housing Services Assessment will help determine whether you need to complete or update Coordinated Entry.

Provides financial assistance for eligible households needing help with past-due rent and/or a security deposit because of a qualifying housing crisis. Assistance is subject to eligibility requirements and available funding.

Qualifying crisis: A temporary economic crisis beyond your control

Apply for Rent & Deposit Assistance

Rapid Rehousing helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness quickly move into affordable safe, stable housing and keep it within the 12 month program.

We Help With:

  • Finding and viewing available housing
  • Completing housing applications
  • Obtaining ID and vital documents
  • Understanding leases and tenant rights
  • Move-in support and essential needs
  • Assistance applying for food stamps and medical coverage
  • Transportation assistance
  • Monthly budgeting & financial coaching
  • Goal setting and ongoing support

Ongoing Support Includes:

  • Employment and job training referrals
  • Mental health, substance use, and domestic violence support
  • Connections to food, clothing, and community resources
  • Advocacy with landlords and helping resolve housing concerns
  • Overcoming barriers such as low income, criminal backgrounds, and more

Interested in Rapid Rehousing?
Rapid Rehousing is accessed through Coordinated Entry. Complete the Housing Services Assessment to confirm or update your Coordinated Entry status and receive information about the housing resources that may fit your situation.

Permanent Supportive Housing provides more than a place to live – it provides the time and support needed to overcome challenges, build skills, and create a path to self-sufficiency.

Services May Include:

  • Housing stabilization support
  • Employment and education referrals
  • Healthcare and behavioral health access
  • Help obtaining ID and vital documents
  • Family reunification support
  • Legal and community resource connection
  • Life skills development and independent living support
  • Individualized case management with participant-driven goals
  • Benefits access support including SSI/SSDI, SNAP/LINK, Medicare/Medicaid
  • Transportation
  • Trauma Informed Case Management

Interested in Permanent Supportive Housing?
Permanent Supportive Housing is accessed through Coordinated Entry. Project NOW selects participants from eligible households on the Coordinated Entry list. Complete the Housing Services Assessment to confirm or update your Coordinated Entry status and learn about resources that may fit your situation.

Supportive Housing is a voluntary program for individuals who are ready to make a positive change and maintain their housing.

MAINTAIN HOUSING
We help you create a budget, plan for expenses, and build stability each month. We can also support you with life skills, preparing for housing inspections, and other day-to-day challenges and problem solving with budgeting for utilities.

PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
Meet monthly with your caseworker to set goals, work through barriers, and build on your strengths – one step at a time.

RESOURCES & CONNECTIONS
We connect you with community resources such as;

  • Safer Foundation
  • Robert Young
  • IDHS
  • YWCA QC – Laundry
  • Community Health Care
  • American Job Center
  • Township
  • Alternatives for Older Adults
  • IL Division of Rehabilitation Services
  • Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living, and more.

Could Supportive Housing Be Right for You?
Complete the Housing Services Assessment to tell us about your current situation. Based on your responses, Project NOW may connect you with a Supportive Housing referral or other resources that fit your needs.

The Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) helps tenants and landlords resolve eviction cases and keep people housed by offering support right at the courthouse.

HOW IT WORKS:

  1. Mediation-Retired judges and court‑trained mediators meet with landlords and tenants outside the courtroom to help both sides reach an agreement and often avoid a trial or formal eviction on the tenant’s record.
  2. Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) – Income‑eligible tenants can apply for free civil legal help from Prairie State Legal Services. There are usually 2–3 attorneys present on Fridays to explain the court process, answer questions, and, when possible, represent tenants in their case.
  3. Project NOW staff are on site to help tenants apply for rental assistance and to check the status of existing applications. We can also connect households to other community resources such as LIHEAP, subsidized housing options, and additional basic‑needs supports.

Eviction Court takes place on Fridays at the Rock Island County Courthouse.
Prairie State Legal Services and Project NOW staff are available from 8:15–10:00 a.m.

Have a Scheduled Eviction Hearing?
Attend your scheduled court appearance at the Rock Island County Courthouse. When you arrive, check in with Prairie State Legal Services and Project NOW staff to learn whether your household may qualify for legal support, rental assistance or other resources.

Please bring your court documents and arrive early enough to check in before your hearing. Assistance is based on eligibility and available funding.

Why IT MATTERS

Housing is More than a place to live

Stable housing creates a foundation for health, financial security, stronger families, and greater independence. Our housing services help people move from crisis toward lasting stability.

1
A Safe Place to Start

Stable housing gives people the foundation they need to focus on what comes next—from managing finances and finding employment to caring for their health and family.

2
Overcoming Barriers Together

Housing stability often takes more than finding an affordable place to live. Case management, advocacy, benefits, transportation, and community connections can help address the barriers that make housing difficult to maintain.

3
Building a Path Ahead

The goal isn’t simply to respond to today’s housing crisis. It’s to help people build the skills, resources, and connections that support greater stability and independence over time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions About Housing Services?

Finding housing assistance can be confusing. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Project NOW’s housing programs and how to get started.

No. The assessment helps Project NOW understand your housing situation and identify programs or resources that may fit your needs. It does not guarantee eligibility, financial assistance, a program referral or housing placement. Assistance depends on program requirements, available funding and current capacity.

Project NOW will review the information you provide. You will receive an email with appropriate next steps and links to programs or resources for which you may qualify. Staff may contact you if additional information or an appointment is needed.
Complete the Housing Services Assessment

Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing are accessed through Coordinated Entry. The Housing Services Assessment will ask whether you have completed Coordinated Entry. If you have not and it may be appropriate for your situation, staff will contact you about completing it.

Indicate on the Housing Services Assessment that you need to update your information. This may include changes to your phone number, email, household, living situation or other circumstances. Keeping your information current helps participating providers contact you if a housing opportunity becomes available.

No. Coordinated Entry helps participating housing providers identify eligible households based on their circumstances, program requirements and available resources. Placement is not guaranteed, and there is no guaranteed timeline.

Rent and deposit assistance may be available for eligible households experiencing a qualifying housing crisis. Funding is limited and availability can change throughout the year. Check current program availability before applying.

If you have a scheduled eviction court hearing, attend your hearing at the Rock Island County Courthouse and check in with Prairie State Legal Services and Project NOW staff when you arrive. Bring your court documents and arrive early enough to check in before your hearing.

You may also complete the Housing Services Assessment to learn about other programs or resources that may fit your situation.

No. These programs do not accept direct applications. Project NOW selects eligible households through the Coordinated Entry system. Complete the Housing Services Assessment to confirm or update your Coordinated Entry status and receive information about appropriate next steps.

Funding and program availability can change throughout the year. Even if financial assistance is unavailable, the Housing Services Assessment may connect you with legal assistance, eviction-diversion services, housing referrals or other community resources.

Complete the Housing Services Assessment. Based on your responses, Project NOW may connect you with a Supportive Housing referral or other resources that fit your situation. Completing the assessment does not guarantee a referral or enrollment.
Complete the Housing Services Assessment

No. Some programs serve people who are currently experiencing homelessness, while others may help households facing eviction, housing instability or other barriers to remaining housed. Eligibility varies by program.

Complete the Housing Services Assessment. You do not need to select a specific program before beginning. Your responses will help Project NOW identify possible services, referrals and next steps.

NEED A LITTLE HELP?

We’re here to help you find the right place to start.

Housing needs can be complicated. If you’re not sure which option fits your situation, contact Project NOW and we’ll help you understand your next step.

Complete the Housing Services Assessment Call Project NOW

Not sure where to start?
Tell us what’s happening, and we’ll help you identify the next step.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS

Made Possible Through Partnership

Project NOW’s housing programs are made possible through public funding and partnerships with organizations working across our community to prevent homelessness, increase housing stability, and connect people with the support they need.