Homeless advocates carol for a cause outside mayor's house

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago homeless advocates took a seasonal message to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

A group of about 50 people sang Christmas carols with lyrics altered to advocate for the city's homeless population in front of the mayor's house Wednesday evening.

The group said the Chicago Housing Authority has a surplus of about $390 million and should use that money to house families.

The city released a statement saying, "The City and the Chicago Housing Initiative share the same objective: providing as much affordable housing for those in need as possible. This is why, at Mayor Emanuel's direction, we have created thousands of new affordable housing opportunities around the city, and became the first city in the nation to create a dedicated revenue source for homeless services and housing. We are committed to working with CHI and other stakeholders to achieve housing goals and a system that will ensure every Chicagoan has a place to call home."