New development provides safe, quality housing and supportive services for women who are homeless, at risk of being homeless

By The Chicago Defender

Chicago Housing Authority officials this week joined Sarah’s Circle, the City of Chicago Department of Housing, and development partners to break ground for Sarah’s on Sheridan Apartments in the Uptown community.  The new apartment building will provide 38 units of permanent supportive housing to help women who are homeless and women who are at risk of becoming homeless gain economic stability.

CHA provided 18 project-based vouchers for the project through its Property Rental Assistance (PRA) program.  Additional support came from the City of Chicago, which allocated $3.5 million in TIF funds early in the building development process.

“CHA is a proud partner in Sarah’s on Sheridan, which will help women find the safety, stability and support they need as they rebuild their lives,” said Cary Steinbuck, Deputy Chief of CHA’s Property Rental Assistance Program who attended the September 10 ceremony.  “Our investment in this building is an investment in people’s lives and is another example of CHA’s commitment to providing housing to some of our city’s most vulnerable residents. By working with our partners at the City of Chicago, we continue to make strides in ending homelessness in our city.”

“CHA and Sarah’s Circle have a shared vision of ending homelessness for women in Chicago. We truly value our partnership and look forward to increasing our capacity to house more, very vulnerable women,” said Kathy Ragnar, Executive Director of Sarah’s Circle.

In addition to providing safe, quality housing, Sarah’s Circle will provide on-site supportive services that include case management, clinical services, community programs and food services. Residents will be able to access educational programming and clinical services, including art therapy, through Sarah’s Circle’s Daytime Support Center.

The building is owned by Sarah’s Circle, a non-profit organization founded in 1979 in the Uptown neighborhood.  Sarah’s Circle’s assists women who are homeless, especially those who have suffered from domestic violence, violence on the streets, mental illness, substance abuse and other traumatic experiences such as sexual assault.

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Defender.

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