What is Cornerstone Community Outreach? 

Cornerstone is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 in Uptown to provide shelter and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.  Cornerstone partners with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) to operate four shelters for people experiencing homelessness – two shelters for families and two for adult individuals. The family shelters can accommodate up to 44 families and their children and the adult shelters can accommodate 72 individuals.

What is the proposal for a non-congregate shelter at 1140 W. Wilson?

The plan includes 40 units for individuals experiencing homelessness who identify as male. Residents will have their own unit, including their own bathroom and kitchenette, and will be provided with case management, support services, access to meals, and other resources down the block at Cornerstone’s community shelter and the Sylvia Center on Clifton. 

Why this location?

Cornerstone selected this location for several reasons, including its proximity to their existing campus, the quality of construction, its diverse uses (residential and commercial), and cost comparison to other locations. As a former Single Room Occupancy (SRO), it is set up well to serve people experiencing housing insecurity.  

Are other locations being pursued?

There were several other locations considered and remaining possibilities if this one doesn’t progress. The properties previously looked at included privately owned locations, such as a couple California-style motels not selected due to failing a Phase 2 environmental review, or market rate properties similar to 1140 W. WIlson that were in need of a complete gut rehab that made costs unfeasible. This site was chosen due to its readiness in comparison to other spaces, and because of the proximity to Cornerstone’s existing properties and the services offered in them. Shifting the planning process to another site would delay the overall program and may result in a gap in shelter provision due to the upcoming expiration of Cornerstone’s lease for their current shelter site at Epworth Church. 

How many people, maximum, will the shelter serve? How long can residents stay?

There are 40 units, so the shelter will serve up to 40 individual men experiencing homelessness. Per DFSS regulations, residents can stay for up to two years, but the average length of stay in DFSS shelters is six months.

How are clients selected to be helped by Cornerstone?

Cornerstone partners with DFSS to utilize the referral process through the Chicago 3-1-1 system. If there is a unit available, a client is referred via 3-1-1 to Cornerstone for intake.

How many people did CCO move into permanent housing in recent years? 

In 2022, Cornerstone helped 228 people move into permanent housing.

Do potential residents undergo criminal background checks, and if one is found are they admitted?

Though the DFSS does not run a criminal background check prior to accepting the referral Cornerstone Intake, staff do a national and Illinois sex offender registry check, and if they are on the registry, they will not be accepted.

Will this shelter be LBGTQ+ friendly? Is the shelter open to non-binary individuals?

 Yes. Inclusiveness is a goal of Cornerstone and the DFSS shelter system. As a result, the shelter is  for individuals who identify as male. Regarding non-binary individuals, Cornerstone does not limit access to services based on gender identity. However, the DFSS shelter model is designed within the framework of Men’s or Womens. When an individual is referred to shelter, DFSS initially selects which version of shelter they go to. If an individual comes to Cornerstone through the DFSS system and they identify differently from the initial referral, then Cornerstone works with DFSS to try to place the person in another suitable shelter. If the individual doesn’t identify as either male or female, then Cornerstone would offer them assistance to choose a shelter placement that will create the most comfort and safety, whether it is staying at the men’s shelter or recommending that DFSS place them in a different shelter. The nature of non-congregate shelter can help to remove gender labels/expectations on the programs, which is something that Cornerstone is interested in pursuing.

Will residents be forced to leave during the day?

No. While the old shelter location required people to leave their sleeping space and walk a mile to case management, meals, and other supports, the new location will allow individuals to stay in their space and access services onsite or across the street. 

Will there be a curfew for the residents? 

Yes,  there will be a curfew for this shelter. This has changed as of February after conversations between the 46th Ward, Cornerstone, and DFSS regarding shelter safety. The curfew details are still being developed, but the curfew will allow residents who work a second or third shift job to still go to work. There will also be a no-guest policy.

Where will residents spend their time during the day?

Residents of Cornerstone’s men’s shelter at Epworth already spend their day at Cornerstone’s facilities on Clifton receiving services, meals and other support. Usually, the men’s shelter residents walk back and forth from Epworth Church in the mornings and at night. Residents would continue to spend their day receiving services at Cornerstone’s community center on Clifton, or doing other routine things like going to work, receiving healthcare, or seeing family.  

What safety and security precautions will be in place?

Alderwoman Clay has required that Cornerstone provide a written safety and security plan that includes 24/7 security staff, other security measures like alarm systems and cameras, and a plan for coordination with first floor commercial tenants. This is important for the care of the shelter residents, the commercial tenants, and the broader community. Although Cornerstone doesn’t “police” the sidewalks, their security is attentive to the goings-on and interactions around the property. 

Will administrative staff be housed on site?

Administrative staff will remain in the building across the street.  However, security staff and “program aides,” i.e. staff that provides direct care to residents, will be onsite. Security will have a desk inside the building and will make rounds in and outside the building along with program aides. Staff at 1140 W. Wilson will coordinate with the site security and program aides in Cornerstone’s other two buildings on Clifton.

What will happen to the current residential tenants?  How many people currently live in the apartments?

As of November, the apartments were majority occupied. A relocation plan is required when DOH-funded development, -redevelopment, or -rehabilitation project causes the permanent or temporary relocation of existing residential occupants, regardless of building type, resident income, or other factors. The relocation plan serves as a road map and provides transparency to current occupants of the building. The plan outlines benefits that occupants are entitled to including: relocation advisory services, fair noticing periods, flat rate payments for moving expenses, and replacement housing payments. Per the DOH relocation plan requirements, funding will support relocation services and rent differential supports for tenants willing to end their leases early. Otherwise, tenants will be able to stay through their current lease ends.

Will the commercial tenants be maintained?

Cornerstone is committed to working with the current commercial tenants who want to continue operating out of the ground floor. Over the course of the last two months, Cornerstone, the 46th Ward, and relevant City departments have met multiple times to understand tenant questions, concerns, and requests. Topics have included:

• Understanding hopes for the landlord/tenant relationship

• Openness to lease negotiations

• Construction needs, process, and timeline

• Cornerstone’s plan for maintenance and process for repairs

As an outcome of these conversations, Alderwoman Clay has asked Cornerstone and City departments to address a list of these questions and concerns. Some of those items include, but are not limited to:

• An alternate proposed elevator placement that will not impact Uptown Church’s sanctuary space or compromise their special use permit, pending Department of Building permits

• Written commitments from Cornerstone to honor existing leases, not increase rent, and negotiate leases with each commercial tenant

• Written safety and security plan with ongoing compliance checks, that includes the interior and exterior of the building and communication with commercial tenants

• A building survey that addresses structural issues raised by commercial tenants about their spaces, and subsequent provision of construction scope, timeline, and process 

Is the building already under contract?

The building is currently under contract and is in the first stage of due diligence. Cornerstone and Cedar St. negotiated a contract that allows Cornerstone to end the contract for applicable reasons during the due diligence period. 

Who approves this proposal? What permissions are required?

The property is currently C1-5 zoned. A special use permit is required to create a non-congregate shelter, but a zoning change is not. Special Use Permits are approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, an appointed body that reviews land use issues that pertain to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. Cornerstone has its Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on February 15th. Cornerstone is also requesting $4.5 million in TIF funding from the Wilson Yards TIF to complete the project. TIF funding requests are reviewed and approved by the Department of Planning & Development, Department of Housing, and City Council. There was an original decision point for this project on February 13th, but there are still moving parts to this deal. Because of those moving parts, Alderwoman Clay has extended the timeline while we anticipate receipt of information and will share an update later that week in advance of the ZBA meeting.

How will this project be paid for? What is the total amount of DOH funding Cornerstone has received?

Cornerstone was selected for grant funding through the DOH non-congregate shelter acquisition program, and further funds from the Wilson Yard TIF and philanthropic pledges would support the total project costs for acquisition and renovation. Funding for this project will not be finalized until all due diligence is complete and the City and Cornerstone Community Outreach reach a grant agreement. This is because the ultimate cost depends on the results of the building survey and the scope of renovation needed to bring the building into a state of good repair. The anticipated funding includes $4M in Chicago Recovery Plan grant funds and $4.5M in TIF funds from the Wilson Yards TIF, which expires in December 2025. All funds will go toward the acquisition and rehab of the property.

Is this project eligible for TIF? Are TIF funds being used for the other four non-congregate housing projects across the City?

This project is eligible to utilize TIF funding as an acquisition and rehab project. The Wilson Yard TIF was created to foster comprehensive improvements within the heart of the Uptown community. The district is intended to help preserve existing buildings for continued residential and commercial uses, to facilitate the assembly and preparation of land for new development, and to retain the area's economic and social diversity. Previously, the Wilson Yard TIF has been utilized to support affordable housing projects including Sarah’s Circle on Sheridan and Mercy Housing preservation, among others. More information on the Wilson Yard TIF can be found here. Many DOH affordable housing and other projects leverage TIF funds - for the non-congregate shelter acquisition program, any site selected that are located in TIF districts will likely seek to leverage TIF funding as needed. At least one other non-congregate shelter project will likely use TIF.

What is the homeless population in our neighborhood? How many shelter beds are currently in our ward?

In 2023, 1,778 requests for shelter were made to 311 from the 46th Ward. In 2022, that number was 2,058.  The 46th Ward currently has 307 shelter beds and 31 permanent supportive housing beds.

Is this project connected to JPUSA?

The City selected Cornerstone Community Outreach as a grantee finalist for the Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition program. Cornerstone is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization and there is no legal connection between Cornerstone and JPUSA. Members of the JPUSA community volunteer full and part-time at Cornerstone to support its work and management.

If this moves forward, what will happen if there are issues related to residents? What City supports will remain in place after the shelter opens?

DFSS has an ongoing contract with Cornerstone for shelter operations and will continue to support and oversee Cornerstone’s operations as part of their contract management. If this project moves forward, Alderwoman Clay’s office is committed to fielding concerns about the shelter and escalating them to Cornerstone, DFSS, other relevant City departments, depending on the situation, or convening meetings with Cornerstone and other stakeholders as needed.