1. Advance a non-congregate and more accessible shelter strategy DFSS seeks to expand non-congregate shelter (NCS) beds that provide an individual room and bathroom to each household and to transition shelters to less congregate settings where strict NCS may not be possible. Increasing accessibility for clients with disabilities is one of DFSS’s highest priorities for this funding opportunity, as well. Specifically, DFSS seeks to fund capital projects to create facilities that will: provide each individual or family with an acceptable, individual room to sleep which includes adequate space and security for themselves and their belongings. have in-unit sanitary facilities that are in proper operating condition and are adequate for personal cleanliness and the disposal of human waste. where individual sleeping rooms and bathrooms are not feasible, reduce the number of unrelated clients sleeping in congregate settings by reconfiguring space to accommodate four or fewer roommates be accessible to clients with disabilities, as determined by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, and in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 8; the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 100; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 35, all as applicable. 2. Sustain DFSS' current shelter bed capacity It is imperative that Chicago sustains its current homeless shelter bed capacity, while balancing the need for private, less congregate sleeping units and bathrooms. SII seeks to fund renovation of facilities with the greatest needs that jeopardize the quality of the facility for residents and staff, and the sustainability of shelter operations. 3. Replenish lost bed capacity to pre-COVID levels or beyond based on system-wide needs The DFSS-supported homeless shelter system operated approximately 3,300 beds pre-pandemic and currently operates roughly 3,000 beds. Note: This does not include New Arrivals shelters and current bed capacity. Chicago is seeing growing need for shelter, both due to New Arrivals from the southwest border of the United States and a return to pre-pandemic need as pandemic-era supports ended. SII’s capital improvement goals are also intended to encourage more unsheltered residents to accept shelter by providing individuals with their own space and addressing other limitations of current shelter options, including storage space and accessibility. This once-in-a-generation funding opportunity and the partnership between DOH and DFSS will improve the infrastructure of Chicago’s homeless shelter system to better serve people experiencing homelessness safely and with dignity. It is DFSS’ expectation that SII projects will not compromise day-to-day operations of the shelter program. Shelter operators must provide a relocation or on-site plan for keeping residents, staff, and others safe during construction, as well as a plan for how the agency will ensure successful day-to-day operations while managing the construction project.
