On Monday, September 30th, we officially broke ground on the Haven on Lincoln, Chicago’s first stabilization housing project!
Located at the former Diplomat Motel location at 5230 N Lincoln, the Haven on Lincoln will offer a non-congregate shelter with wraparound health and social services available onsite––the gold standard of investment, and a model that has shown immense promise in helping people find stability and opportunity. It is a truly groundbreaking moment for Chicago, and it has been one of the most profound honors of my life to have played a substantial part in making it a reality.
That housing in Chicago is a problem that needs to be addressed isn’t news to any of us. We’ve all seen and interacted with unhoused neighbors living in the streets, viaducts, and parks because they’re not able to access stable housing. Those who are living with mental illness or substance use disorders face even bigger barriers to access housing. For too long, unhoused Chicagoans with mental health and substance use challenges have had to choose between sleeping on the streets or sleeping in shelters. With the Haven on Lincoln, we will be able to instead provide them:
- the dignity of having their own unit
- the support of onsite health services and treatment
- and the peace of mind and soul that comes with knowing that they will supported on their journey to stabilization, sustenance, and permanent housing.
I am also immensely proud that the Haven on Lincoln will be a centerpiece of the new Lincoln Avenue Streetscape. As I walked Lincoln a couple of years back to talk to the motel owners and envision what the Lincoln Avenue North Arts District would look like, I was committed to ensuring that what would eventually become the Haven on Lincoln would be a part of the community. And the designs for the Haven on Lincoln that the architect, Gensler, has put together is delivering on just that. I am blown away by the work that has been done to ensure that the folks served by the Haven feel at home––because that’s exactly where they will be.
Thank you to all of our neighbors who have supported this project, and the folks at the Department of Housing, the Department of Public Health, who have worked so hard to make it a reality. I look forward to the Haven opening its doors next year and to welcoming each of our new neighbors, as we build a brighter and safer community together.
Yours in Service and Community,
