illi News - Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson, City Departments Cut Ribbon on Sustainable, Trauma-Informed, Non-Congregate Shelter In 40th Ward

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CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the Departments of Housing (DOH), Family & Support Services (DFSS), and the 40th ward Office joined community partners today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of The Haven on Lincoln, a newly redeveloped non-congregate shelter located in the Lincoln Square community. The City-backed project marks a significant step forward in the Johnson administration's ongoing effort to expand dignified, trauma-informed housing options for residents experiencing homelessness.

"Providing the dignity of homes that are safe and accessible to our residents is a fundamental pillar of our administration's commitment to build a more equitable Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The Haven on Lincoln is a testament to what is possible when we prioritize the physical and mental well-being of our residents. By reviving this space and returning it to the community, we are providing stability while ensuring our most vulnerable neighbors have the resources and the respect they need to feel at home in our City."

Located in the 40th ward, The Haven on Lincoln transforms the former two-story motel previously known as The Diplomat—acquired by the City in May 2024—into a modern shelter for single adults. The facility includes 37 sleeping rooms, with units designed for single occupancy to promote privacy and stability.

DOH acquired the property using Chicago Recovery Plan (CRP) funds and, with the authority granted from a land disposition ordinance in September 2025, will transfer it to Cornerstone Community Outreach for operation. The Haven represents a $14 million total investment from DOH and the Johnson administration, with $5.5 million sourced from the Lincoln Ave TIF district.

The shelter will be managed and operated by Cornerstone Community Outreach and will provide transitional housing alongside comprehensive wraparound health and social services. The facility is specifically designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those living with untreated physical and behavioral health conditions.

"The opening of The Haven on Lincoln is such a gift," said Andrew Winter, Executive Director of Cornerstone Community Outreach. "Every room represents a person with a story, a future, and the right to be treated with dignity. This took vision, care, persistence, and so many people working together around a shared belief that our neighbors deserve safety, dignity, and a real pathway home. We are grateful for a place where healing, housing, and hope can begin together."

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The project builds on the success of stabilization housing models first piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of DOH's Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition (NCS) program, the Johnson administration is working to convert approximately 300 traditional shelter beds into non-congregate settings that offer greater privacy and supportive services.

"For too long, individuals experiencing homelessness on the North Side of Chicago have had few places to go. The Haven on Lincoln is fixing that," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. "The Haven is an investment in our city and a commitment to our community members who have been victims of trauma, substance abuse, or mental health conditions. I am thrilled to celebrate its opening and I look forward to seeing how the Haven will transform the lives of the people who walk through its doors."

For Cornerstone Community Outreach, shelter operations funding will flow through DFSS to improve the health and safety of the shelter ecosystem, alongside DFSS's Shelter Infrastructure Initiative, which will upgrade hundreds of shelter beds to the non-congregate model.

"The Department of Housing is committed to ensuring Chicagoans have dignified opportunities for housing at every point of their housing journey," said DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda. "With its trauma-informed design and researched-based model, The Haven on Lincoln will provide stability and safety to residents on their path to a long-term home."

"The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and DFSS Homeless Services Division are thrilled to welcome The Haven on Lincoln to the City's broader shelter system," said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. "The intentionality that went into the creation of this new shelter is a point of great pride. This is a shining example of where we strive to go as we work to expand the resources available to our unhoused residents in their journeys toward housing and stability."

Designed by Gensler with a trauma-informed approach, The Haven on Lincoln emphasizes both grounding and connective spaces. Interior finishes feature earthy materials that evoke stability and security, while shared spaces incorporate cooler tones and water-inspired elements to foster connection and calm. The site also includes a mural and on-site garden to enhance community and well-being.

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"When I heard that the City was looking to build on the success of the pandemic stabilization housing pilot to create a permanent non-congregate shelter, I knew that the 40th Ward was the perfect home for it," said Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th). "I could not be prouder to celebrate its opening now, five years later. So many people have poured their hearts into bringing this project into being, and it has been one of the honors of my life to be a part of that collective effort. The Haven on Lincoln will provide a gold standard model of care in helping neighbors find safety, stability, and opportunities to rebuild, and I'm thrilled to welcome it home to the 40th Ward."

In a major adaptive reuse effort, half of the property's former parking lot has been transformed into healing gardens, complete with raised planting beds, flexible outdoor seating, and shaded gathering areas. These outdoor spaces are designed to support mental health and resident engagement.

"The Haven on Lincoln demonstrates how design can strengthen public projects and expand dignified pathways to housing," said Sean McGuire, AIA, Architect at Gensler. "The non-congregate model aligned naturally with the motel's original structure, which we layered with trauma-informed design, a healing garden, commissioned art, and a resilience strategy that ensures year-round operation. I'm proud The Haven will serve this community for decades."

Sustainability is central to the project's design. The building has been retrofitted as a fully electric, decarbonized facility, featuring a 35 kW solar array and an energy storage system to maintain critical operations during emergencies. High performance HVAC systems, improved indoor air quality, and increased green space further reinforce the connection between healthy environments and positive housing outcomes.

The Haven on Lincoln will remain dedicated to housing and supportive uses for the long term, with a 15-year grant agreement term followed by a 30-year land use restriction requiring the property to serve as a shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing.

By combining quality design with comprehensive services, The Haven sets a new standard for how cities can address homelessness.

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