On Wednesday, August 20th, we held a community meeting to update the community on the most recent happenings with the Haven on Lincoln!
If you missed the meeting, you can watch the video below, or read on for a summary of what we covered.
Operational Update
Based on federal funding changes, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) was no longer able to fund the planned pilot operations on site at The Haven on Lincoln. Together, the Department of Housing (DOH), CDPH, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the 40th Ward Office, and the Mayor’s Office coordinated to determine the best and most aligned possible use for the site upon construction completion.
As a result, Cornerstone Community Outreach was determined to be the best and most aligned partner with sustainable operations funding to take on operating The Haven on Lincoln. Cornerstone Community Outreach will serve as the City’s partner to deliver a fully staffed team of providers to appropriately meet client needs as well as manage The Haven on Lincoln.
Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO), an Illinois non-profit 501-c3 organization, was founded in 1989 to raise the quality of life and access permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness in the Uptown area of Chicago. For over 35 years, Cornerstone Community Outreach has welcomed families and individuals experiencing homelessness into a safe shelter space, with holistic care and individualized services that pave the way to permanent housing.
Program Model
Cornerstone’s program model for non-congregate shelter will operate substantially the same as the prior proposed program.
Primary Shelter Services
- Comprehensive intake, safe shelter
- Trauma-informed, individualized compassionate care with wrap-around services
- Entry into City-wide housing database, tailored and supported goals for positive outcomes
- Assistance in obtaining ID & birth certificates, on-site wellness & healthcare appointments, counseling services
- Linkage to vocational & academic training, referrals to employment, and behavioral healthcare services
- Transportation assistance, furniture assistance, follow-up services
Other Shelter Services
- Daily meals, laundry facility, access to clothes, shoes & household items
- Computer lab, WIFI, after school tutoring with Chicago Hopes
- Rooftop playground & garden, 24-hour staff & trained security team
Site Security
Cornerstone will also offer a comparable level of security staffing to the City’s original plan for the site.
- 24/7 On-Site Security Staffing
- Daytime: intensive program staff engagement and ongoing security presence
- Overnight: regular rounds and ongoing security presence
- All staff receive trauma-informed and de-escalation type training to work with this population.
- Security staff serve as a support to program staff as needed
- Full Site Security Camera Monitoring System
- 24/7 real-time monitoring of the site, including external perimeter, all entryways, top and bottom of all stairwells. Monitored by security staff.
- Interior views are limited to entryways and hallways. Not in offices, bedrooms. Camera positioning to see every doorway.
- Site Perimeter and Enclosure
- Entire open perimeter will be fenced to limit ingress to a single gated entry with key card access.
- South parking lot will be redeveloped as a green space for residents.
- Gated north parking lot with parking with 12 on-site staff parking spots
Site Design
Gensler is serving as the City’s design partner to support the architectural planning and redesign of the property from a trauma-informed lens for use as The Haven on Lincoln, and Site Landscape Design and Urban Architecture is serving as the landscape architect.
Construction Timeline
Construction is currently underway! The project is currently undergoing final approval for the Zoning Board of Appeals for the new operator, which should be complete by the end of this year. Construction is anticipated to be complete by Q1 of 2026, and the program will open shortly thereafter.
Thank you to Rep LaPointe, DOH, DFSS