High Ground Partners LLC

Creating Pathways to Inclusive and Equitable Housing

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About Our Work

Working in housing and human services is tough, but the dedicated people make it easier. It can be hard to try new ideas or connect with others. That's why we should join forces! You will find that I am a dedicated team leader and collaborative partner, committed to working together to create lasting and meaningful pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable society. My career is centered around providing affordable housing solutions, driving systemic changes, and fostering innovative, creative partnerships that bring diverse groups together.

About Me

Betsy Benito

Betsy Benito, Owner, High Ground Partners, LLC has a passion for systems change and collective impact initiatives. At the foundation of her career is a person-centered approach, where people with lived expertise have a voice and play a critical role in problem-solving.

Rooted in the field of homelessness and affordable housing, Betsy has spent over 25 years facilitating collaborative resource solutions that provide housing and supports to people whose needs cross housing, justice, health, disability and family policy. She has held positions in the government and nonprofit sector and serves on the Boards of Full Circle Communities and University Church Chicago.

Betsy received a Master of Arts at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.

For more about Betsy please see her LinkedIn profile.

Our Projects

Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative

Facilitator of the Cook County Medical Respite Network | 2023-Present

  • Convene a voluntary, collaborative network of homeless service and healthcare entities pursuing new programming to promote alignment, strategy, and shared vision
  • Develop written documents and online resources to advance awareness of Medical Respite

The Chicago Community Trust

Coordinator of the Flexible Housing Fund | 2022-Present

  • Develop and implement annual fundraising plans for philanthropic partners to support a cross-sector initiative for shared funding

Illinois Homelessness Education and Technical Assistance Center

Supportive Housing Providers Association | 2023-Present

  • Support the distribution of approximately $2 million in state funding for systems change and capacity building projects across Illinois
  • Oversee project management activities to support reporting, financial management, and knowledge sharing
  • Engage directly with the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Office of Housing Stability on priorities for capacity building
  • Directly implement programming and reports including Low Barrier Shelter Program Guide, Illinois State Police Homeless Guidebook, One System Initiative facilitation, and Home Illinois Summit 2023 event management

All Chicago Making Homelessness History

Community Transition Grant Initiative

  • Support implementation of the Community Transition Grant Initiative

City Colleges of Chicago

Thrive Initiative - Office of Student Experience

  • Supporting basic needs initiatives for students

Pride Action Tank

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

Sarah's Circle

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

ReVive Center

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

JB and MK Pritzker Foundation

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

Cook County Health

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

Oak Park Homelessness Coalition

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

Horizon House

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

The Ark of Chicago

Past Client Project

  • Project details to be added

Project Deliverables & Impact

Medical Respite Network Guide

Medical Respite is a special shelter for homeless people to recover from illness or injury. As part of the Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative, we made an online Network Guide to help educate and inform those involved.

Low Barrier Shelter Guidebook

High Ground Partners and Project Mavens, working with the Illinois Shelter Alliance, created a clear Guidebook to support easy access shelters. These shelters help reduce homelessness by making it easier for people, especially those with mental health or substance use challenges, to find housing and get support.

One System Initiative

In response to the rise in sheltering Southern Border Arrivals in 2023-2024, the Illinois Homelessness Education and Technical Assistance Center was asked to coordinate a team of consultants to unify the homeless response in Chicago. High Ground Partners worked with the City and State to design the plan, choose and manage the consultants, and support community involvement throughout the year.

Housing for People with IDD

As the statewide Technical Assistance provider for the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, a new state-funded program was created to support independent community housing instead of group or institutional living.

Chicago Cook County Flexible Housing Pool

The Flexible Housing Pool provides supportive housing for people who are homeless, use emergency services frequently, and have behavioral health issues. It involves public and private healthcare, managed care, nonprofits, philanthropy, and city and county leaders. High Ground Partners collaborates with private donors to support and sustain this important work. The FHP has released four research reports on housing access, young adults, early results, and upcoming final findings.

Partners & Collaborators

Pride Action Tank New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority All Chicago Sarah's Circle ReVive Center JB and MK Pritzker Foundation Cook County Health Oak Park Homelessness Coalition Horizon House The Ark of Chicago