Social Services Committee

The Social Services Committee is made up of volunteer community members who make allocation recommendations for the use of federal Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds and City of Evanston Human Services funds to provide the following services:

• Holistic case management that enable households to thrive in our community
• Safety net services including, but not limited to, provision of food, domestic violence services, emergency shelter and street outreach
• Support services for low- and moderate-income Evanston residents including mental health care, child care, legal services, employment services, substance abuse counseling, etc.

CDBG funded programs must benefit low- and moderate-income persons, comply with federally mandated restrictions and meet national objectives. The goal of funding is to ensure fair and just access to opportunities that help people thrive in the community in alignment with City Council goals.

This Committee also reviews use of the Emergency Solutions Grant ("ESG"), a federal grant program that provides funds for street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention assistance.  More information about the CDBG and ESG programs can be found on HUD's website.

For reference, the City's ordinance codifying this committee is available online.

Attend a meeting

Community members are welcome to attend Social Services Committee meetings. Meetings are typically held:

When: 2nd Thursday of the Month at 7:00 p.m.

Where: City of Evanston, 909 Davis Street

Those wishing to provide public comment will have the opportunity to do so at every meeting via 2 different means:

1. Online written comment, via the sign-up/comment form
2. In-person, sign-up at the meeting or in advance via the sign-up/comment form

Apply to join the commission

Are you interested in applying? Visit, Current Vacancies on Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

Want to learn more about Evanston's Boards, Commissions, or Committees?  Visit, Boards, Commissions, and Committees. 

The Social Services Committee is made up of 9 members. Current members include: 

• Samantha Olds Frey (Term ends 10/2027, 2nd term*)
• Shairee Lackey (Term ends 10/2027, 2nd term*)
• Amanda Ngola (Term end 2/2027, 2nd term*)
• Kathy Hayes (Term ends 3/2028, 2st term*)
• Renee Phillips (Term ends 06/2026, 1st term)
• Mercedes Fernandez (Term end 06/2027, 1st Term) 
• Krissie Harris (Term end 5/2029, 1st term)
•  Councilmember vacancy
• Committee member vacancy

*Indicates a Second Term

The Social Services Committee is responsible for making funding recommendations to City Council for public services that improve wellbeing and ensure all thrive in Evanston, particularly those impacted by systemic racism. This Committee was configured out of the realignment of its predecessors, the Housing & Community Development Act Committee (HCDA), the Mental Health Board (MHB) and the Housing & Homelessness Commission (HHC), all of which focused on funding public services. The current iteration as the Social Services Committee seeks to mitigate the previously substantial overlap of the aforementioned committees. 

For agendas, packets, and meeting minutes, visit the archived pages for the Housing & Community Development Act Committee (HCDA), the Mental Health Board (MHB) and the Housing & Homelessness Commission (HHC).