The City of Chicago is making significant strides in addressing homelessness through a large-scale renovation project in Lincoln Square. The Haven on Lincoln, a $14 million redevelopment of the former Diplomat Motel at 5230 N. Lincoln Avenue, aims to provide transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. With an emphasis on mental health support, medical care, and long-term stability, the project is expected to have a transformative impact on the community.
The renovation involves converting the 46-room motel into 40 individual rooms designed to support trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care. The redevelopment will incorporate durable, modern materials to ensure structural longevity and energy efficiency while maintaining a welcoming, safe environment for its residents.
Block Club Chicago reports that the latest funding approval from the City Council, amounting to $5.5 million, will be allocated from the Lincoln Avenue Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. These funds will supplement the previously committed $8.42 million from the Chicago Recovery Plan bond funds and a $103,660 grant from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), securing the financial framework needed for construction to proceed.
The Haven on Lincoln’s design prioritizes functionality, comfort, and accessibility. Key architectural and design elements include:
Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials: The building will feature impact-resistant drywall, soundproof insulation, and easy-to-clean surfaces to support long-term maintenance.
Upgraded Plumbing and Electrical Systems: Given the age of the existing motel, significant upgrades to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems will be carried out to meet current energy efficiency standards.
Security and Safety Measures: The facility will be outfitted with 24/7 security monitoring, featuring a real-time surveillance camera system covering entryways, hallways, and individual doorways.
ADA-Compliant Features: The renovation will include wheelchair-accessible rooms, ramps, and elevators, ensuring full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Enhanced Common Spaces: Communal areas will include therapy rooms, group meeting spaces, and a modernized commercial kitchen, facilitating the Volunteers of America Illinois’ supportive services.
Construction will be carried out by city-approved contractors with experience in adaptive reuse and sustainable renovations. While initial expectations targeted a late 2024 opening, unforeseen contract negotiations between the city and contractors have pushed completion to 2025. Alderman Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) has emphasized the city’s commitment to keeping the project on schedule, vowing to hold all stakeholders accountable to ensure progress remains steady.
The workforce for this project will include:
General Contractors and Skilled Trades: Teams of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC specialists will be essential in bringing the renovation to completion.
Security System Installers: Ensuring the real-time monitoring system is properly integrated into the facility’s infrastructure.
Interior and Exterior Designers: Tasked with creating an environment that balances safety, comfort, and aesthetics.
Beyond the construction phase, The Haven on Lincoln will serve as a bridge housing facility, designed to provide temporary safe shelter, medical assistance, and mental health care for individuals experiencing homelessness. The facility will offer:
On-Site Caseworkers and Medical Support: Staff from Volunteers of America Illinois will provide psychological and psychiatric care, recovery support, and individual therapy.
Community-Based Referrals: Residents will be referred through Swedish Hospital’s emergency room, local police precincts, and other area service providers.
Structured Support Programs: These will include job training, transportation support, and mental health services aimed at long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
The Haven on Lincoln reflects Chicago’s progressive approach to addressing homelessness through adaptive reuse and socially conscious urban redevelopment. By repurposing existing infrastructure, this project not only reduces construction waste but also ensures a cost-effective approach to expanding housing-first initiatives.
Alderman Andre Vasquez has reiterated the importance of community involvement, highlighting the role of nonprofits, local contractors, and city agencies in making The Haven on Lincoln a reality.
With the groundbreaking now complete and funding fully secured, construction is set to accelerate, bringing Chicago one step closer to a more inclusive, community-focused approach to housing and support services.
The Haven on Lincoln isn’t just a renovation project—it’s a blueprint for future housing solutions, ensuring that Chicago’s most vulnerable populations receive the care, dignity, and stability they deserve.