By: Ashmar Mandou

According to the Chicago Coalition to End homelessness, over 18,000 people in Chicago experienced homelessness in 2024. In an effort to decrease the number of people experiencing homelessness, the City of Chicago and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) announced $40 million in capital improvement funding to modernize homeless shelter facilities across the City as part of the DFSS Shelter Infrastructure Initiative. “The Shelter Infrastructure Initiative is a powerful example of how Mayor Johnson’s administration is investing in solutions that honor the lives of our unhoused neighbors,” said Sendy Soto, chief homelessness officer for the City of Chicago. “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.” 

This funding aims to improve more than 750 permanent shelter beds in Chicago, increasing ADA accessibility, modernizing aging infrastructure and other major systems, and developing 350+ non-congregate beds so individuals and families have a private sleeping room and bathroom with secure storage space for their belongings. “It is a proud day for the City of Chicago as we reinforce our commitment to serving our City’s most vulnerable and doing all we can to ensure all individuals and families are able to access the support and care they need,” said DFSS Acting Commissioner Maura McCauley. “This investment is a significant step toward meeting the broad range of unique circumstances and experiences faced by those entering the shelter system and doing so with utmost compassion, dignity, and intentionality.” 

The Shelter Infrastructure Initiative is supported by $20 million in federal HOME-ARP funding and $20 million in locally issued bond funds and builds upon two years of project readiness assessments, site planning, and environmental reviews to achieve system-wide improvements. 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 is transitioning 300+ congregate shelter beds operated by five competitively selected shelters into non-congregate, prioritizing those shelters in greatest need of improved conditions.  The following shelters 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)  

For more information about the Shelter Infrastructure Initiative or to access shelter services, residents can visit www.chicago.gov/dfss.