Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Largest-Ever Investment To Improve And Modernize Shelter Infrastructure Citywide
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CHICAGO, IL ~ Chicago Mayor Announces $40 Million Investment in Homeless Shelter Facilities

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Acting Commissioner Maura McCauley have announced a major investment of $40 million to modernize homeless shelter facilities throughout the city. This funding, part of the DFSS Shelter Infrastructure Initiative, marks the largest local shelter capital investment in Chicago's history and reflects the city's commitment to creating non-congregate, accessible, dignified, and trauma-informed shelter environments for people experiencing homelessness.

According to Mayor Johnson, this investment is a significant step forward in the city's mission to make housing a human right. "When it comes to building a safe and affordable city, housing and shelter must be prioritized to stabilize our residents who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessness," he stated. "With this historic investment, we are making our shelters more accessible, more dignified, and ultimately, more effective at helping Chicagoans in need."

The $40 million funding will support major improvements to over 750 permanent shelter beds in Chicago. This includes increasing ADA accessibility, modernizing aging infrastructure and other major systems, and developing 350+ non-congregate beds where individuals and families will have a private sleeping room and bathroom with secure storage space for their belongings. Research has shown that non-congregate shelters improve health and housing outcomes for residents compared with congregate shelter settings.

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Acting Commissioner McCauley expressed her pride in the city's commitment to serving its most vulnerable residents. "This investment is a significant step toward meeting the broad range of unique circumstances and experiences faced by those entering the shelter system," she said. "We are doing so with utmost compassion, dignity, and intentionality."

The Shelter Infrastructure Initiative is backed by $20 million in federal HOME-ARP funding and $20 million in locally issued bond funds. It builds upon two years of project readiness assessments, site planning, and environmental reviews to achieve system-wide improvements. DFSS is partnering with IFF as the Program Administrator for the initiative.

Sendy Soto, chief homelessness officer for the City of Chicago, praised Mayor Johnson's administration for investing in solutions that honor the lives of unhoused neighbors. "With renewed funding and a focus on best practices, we're building a city where everyone has the support they need, no matter where they are on their housing journey," she said.

In addition to this funding for improvements to existing shelter facilities, DFSS is also working with the Department of Housing (DOH) to implement its Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition Program. DOH has allocated $30 million in bond funding to acquire and rehabilitate new non-congregate shelter facilities. The program aims to transition 300+ congregate shelter beds operated by five competitively selected shelters into non-congregate shelters, prioritizing those in greatest need of improved conditions.

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The capital improvements announced by DFSS today will benefit seven neighborhoods across the North, South, and West sides of Chicago. They will serve a wide range of populations, including families with children, unaccompanied youth, adult single women and men, and returning citizens. The following shelters have received provisional grant awards through a competitive RFP process:

- St. Leonard's Ministries - St. Leonard's House (Near West Side)

- St. Leonard's Ministries - Grace House (Near West Side)

- Franciscan Outreach - House of Mary and Joseph (East Garfield Park)

- The Inner Voice - Pioneer House (West Garfield Park)

- Covenant House Illinois (East Garfield Park)

- Cornerstone Community Outreach - Sylvia Center (Uptown)

- Olive Branch Mission - Lamplight (West Englewood)

Each project aligns with national best practices by offering improved privacy, safety, accessibility, and supportive services. Most projects will undergo significant ADA upgrades, fire and life safety improvements, and energy efficiency enhancements. They are also leveraging public and philanthropic funding, including TIF support and federal earmarks, to achieve their capital improvement goals.

Residents can visit www.chicago.gov/dfss or email dfss@cityofchicago.org for more information about the Shelter Infrastructure Initiative or to access shelter services. This investment marks a significant step towards creating a more equitable and supportive city for all of its residents.

Filed Under: Government, City

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