A commitment to support 1,600 new units of housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Chicago was introduced Wednesday morning. The commitment is part of Mayor Emanuel’s five-year housing plan and will result in a 21 percent increase in available housing for Chicago’s most vulnerable residents. The 1,600 housing units will be allocated from the City’s existing housing programs and resources and earmarked for homeless residents including those who experiencing multiple barriers to housing, and are unable to maintain housing stability without supportive services. The expansion will include both non-time limited rental assistance and new subsidized housing units to be used as permanent supportive housing units.  Through the five-year housing planning process, the City along with CHA and other stakeholders will identify the projected cost and investment plan to meet this commitment, leveraging existing multi-family affordability financing programs, CHA vouchers, and the new Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool.