There is a severe shortage of affordable housing in Chicago. The basic needs of women all over the city are not being met, resulting in more than 2,000 unhoused women sleeping on the streets on any given night.
The Solution:
Build Affordable Homes
In order to accomplish ending homelessness for women, Sarah’s Circle has developed new buildings that offer more affordable housing opportunities to women in need of a home. These new buildings are located in Uptown.
With the help of the architects at Perkins+Will and contractors from Skender, Sarah’s Circle has completed an impressive design that serves the programs ending homelessness for so many women.
Click the drop-downs below for details on recently completed projects, the status of current developments, and evolving plans for future buildings to address the affordable housing crisis more than 2,000 women in Chicago face each day.
New & Future Facilities
Sarah’s on Lakeside will be Sarah’s Circle’s third development, increasing the permanent housing available for women who are homeless. This building has been designed by Perkins+Will with branding elements to tie together all three buildings, as well as adding a beautiful building consistent with the existing architecture in Uptown. The building will be located at 4737 N Sheridan Rd, at the intersection of Lakeside and Sheridan.
Sarah’s on Lakeside will provide additional program and communal space, as well as a test kitchen, case management offices, and 28 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, bringing Sarah’s Circle’s total to 101 units, effectively ending homelessness for 101 women at a given time.
In January 2021, Sarah’s Circle opened Sarah’s on Sheridan. Located at 1005 W Leland Avenue, this facility offers 38 units of Permanent Supportive Housing. In addition to these critically needed apartments, Sarah’s on Sheridan offers an improved space for a 50-bed Interim Housing facility with designated rooms for clinical and group activities, on-site case management offices, showers, laundry, and additional private storage space for the women.
Preserving History
In the efforts to offer more affordable housing to women in Chicago, Sarah’s Circle recognizes the importance of preserving architectural elements that keep the spirit of Uptown alive. For this reason, we have restored and re-installed the historical terracotta Viking heads that once adorned the original building.
Thank you to the individuals and organizations who contributed to this project!
Alderman James Cappleman of the 46th Ward
Perkins+Will
Brinshore Development
Mayer Brown
Skender
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)
Chicago Low Income Housing Trust Fund
Located at 4838 N Sheridan Road, this building serves clients’ daytime needs including meals, showers, laundry, and other basic necessities. Sarah’s Circle began as a daytime drop-in center in 1979 and continues this program today.
Above the Daytime Support Center are administrative and case management offices and the Judy Krueger Apartments, which comprises the first 10 units of permanent supportive housing built for women who have suffered chronic homelessness.
Sarah’s Circle will keep you — the community of Sarah’s Circle supporters who help to end homelessness for women — up to date with building development progress and plans. To ensure you don’t miss an update, you may sign up for monthly e-news.
We truly thank you, our neighbors and constituents, who have spoken out in support of Sarah’s Circle’s mission and new affordable housing developments. Together, we will end homelessness for women in Chicago.
