We're Opening a New Shelter in Fall 2024!
Our two-year project to renovate on an old building in the Rogers Park neighborhood, and convert it into a new, 70-bed homeless shelter is so close to starting. The need for more shelter beds in Chicago is more urgent than ever. Only 650 beds are available for homeless men across all of Chicago, and tent camps of homeless people keep growing, even during the winter cold.
At our new shelter location, two men will live in each of the 35 rooms. They will receive 3 meals a day, personal hygiene kits, clean clothing, and access to free health care.
Case managers will be assigned to every resident to create a plan to permanently end that man’s homelessness. The interior will be a safe, healing space, with a ‘trauma-conscious” design, so residents will be more empowered to shift their focus from survival to obtaining stable housing.
Everything will be new: a new kitchen, roof, HVAC system, laundry room, and a medical exam room.
This shelter will be the most modern in the City. Its floor plan will be the new model for future shelters for years to come. The project’s total cost is $7 million, and the City of Chicago’s Dept of Housing is funding much of the renovations.
We expect to open the shelter in Fall 2024 for 70 homeless men.
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To learn more about our Shelter project, please view the presentation
Can you help with a donation of any size?
We need to raise $130,000 in order to finalize the contract with the City, so renovations can start, hopefully in February. The first $15,000 raised will be matched by two other donors.
We also need various items before we open the shelter to 70 homeless men. Can you help us get them?
For any questions regarding the Shelter or making a donation, please contact: Pete Marchese, Board President
Programs & Services
NSHSS has been serving men and women experiencing homelessness since 1983, when three churches in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood collaborated to open our first overnight homeless shelter for 23 men, then known as the Lakeview Shelter. Operating in a church basement, the aim was to simply provide food, shelter, and a safe environment. We expanded our services in 1997 with a new permanent housing program for clients transitioning out of the shelter system into stable housing. With a full-time nurse on staff now, free health care services are available to all clients. Today, NSHSS is a comprehensive human services agency.
We operate five programs to help our clients find a permanent solution to their homelessness.
1
Emergency Shelter
We've been operating shelters for homeless men for 40 years in the city. Our current 50-bed men’s shelter is operated out of the Crossroads Hotel near Midway airport. Our shelter is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, meeting the immediate needs of homeless adult men, providing three meals a day, showers, hygiene products, laundry and other basic living needs.
3
Daytime Support Services Center
is a drop-in center providing immediate access to food pantry, houseware, clothing closet, hygiene kits, transportation vouchers, phone access, mailing address, financial assistance and more. People are welcome to walk-in off the street, without an appointment, and request assistance. Started in 2013.
4
Housing System Navigation
assists low-income and homeless individuals in navigating the housing system in Chicago to find stable, affordable housing. Our case managers will help clients apply for rental assistance programs, make appointments to visit available housing units, and explain apartment leases. Started in 2019
681
Individuals served annually
29,889
Total meals given for emergency food assistance
$21,578
Total financial assistance given (excluding rent)
92
Mental health sessions provided
66%
Exits with income from permanent supportive housing
SUPPORT US
Join us in the fight against homelessness in Chicago. Your financial support will have a meaningful impact on men and women sincerely committed to exiting and healing from the trauma of homelessness.
A financial donation helps pay for:
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A security deposit on a new apartment
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Emergency food pantry provisions
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Transportation for our participants to apply for jobs or housing
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And so much more!
You can also donate stocks. For details and instructions, please contact us development@northsidehousing.org
JOIN OUR TEAM
Check our careers page for more information on open positions and apply today.
CLIENT STORIES
Our clients are proud of their progress and so are we. Take a look at stories from them about their journey to exit homelessness.
VOLUNTEER
CONNECT WITH US
We are always looking for volunteers to work directly with our participants, organize food drives, and give their
talents to engage in fighting homelessness in Chicago.
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We can't do it alone!
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NEED HELP?
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and you're not sure what to do, explore our programs and services to find out next steps.
