Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing Secure $4 Million to Support Non-congregate Shelter Acquisition and Rehab
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Department of Housing Receives $4 Million Grant for Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition Program

The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) has announced that it will be receiving $4 million in grant funds to support the Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition program. This partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is a significant step towards providing stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in the city.

Administered by the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Community Development, the grants will be divided equally between two program grantee finalists: La Casa Norte and Unity Parenting and Counseling, Inc. This investment will allow these organizations to provide non-congregate shelter options for youth ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his gratitude for this collaboration between the state and local partners, stating that it is a crucial effort in building a future where every Chicagoan has a safe place to call home. He also emphasized the importance of working alongside community partners like La Casa Norte and Unity Parenting and Counseling, Inc. to achieve this goal.

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La Casa Norte will use their grant funds to provide non-congregate shelter in the Humboldt Park community area for youth ages 18-24. The funds will go towards rehabilitating the building's first floor to create improved community spaces and supportive services. Similarly, Unity Parenting and Counseling, Inc. will use their grant to acquire and rehabilitate a property in the Washington Heights community area, establishing a non-congregate shelter, community facilities, services facilities, and an outdoor courtyard.

The DOH is currently working with five organizations through its Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition program. This initiative aims to transition the city's current shelter infrastructure towards a more non-congregate model overall, aligning with Chicago's goals of improving shelter services and supporting more residents in effectively transitioning to permanent housing.

This move towards non-congregate shelters is based on research conducted by the University of Chicago Medicine and Lawndale Christian Health Center at hotels used as non-congregate shelters during the pandemic. The study found that a non-congregate shelter model with on-site services led to significant improvements in various health measures and self-reported mental health symptoms among participants, as well as an increased rate of transition to permanent housing.

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Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda expressed her appreciation for the State of Illinois's support for the Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition program. She also highlighted DOH's excitement in partnering with DFSS, La Casa Norte, and Unity Parenting and Counseling, Inc. to bring these essential, evidence-based services to the community.

According to the City's annual Point-in-Time Count of people experiencing homelessness, there were an estimated 18,836 individuals experiencing homelessness in shelters or unsheltered locations on January 25, 2024. With this grant funding and partnership between various organizations, Chicago is taking a significant step towards addressing this issue and providing stable housing for those in need.

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