From left to right: Peter Marchese and Duncan Ward of North Side Housing and Supportive Services, which operates homeless shelters in Chicago's North Side, testify Tuesday.  

Around 62 percent of people experiencing homelessness in Chicago are men, but only 23 percent of beds in homeless shelters are for men.  

That’s according to Peter Marchese, board president of North Side Housing and Supportive Services.  

The organization opened a new “dorm-style” men’s shelter in Rogers Park earlier this month. Marchese testified to the Illinois Senate Human Rights Committee about the need for more shelter space and affordable housing options in Chicago. He spoke to the struggles men face when they become homeless. 

“Homeless men are often just ignored on the streets in the park or in some cases are treated with disrespect because of the incorrect belief that they might have done something to deserve their homelessness due to some form of drug use, violence or crime committed,” he said. “From our experience, we believe that all homeless people, both men and women, deserve the same support and assistance to permanently end their homelessness.”