Chicago City Wire

The City of Chicago and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have announced upcoming changes to the city's shelter system, known as the One System Initiative. These adjustments are in response to federal budgetary concerns impacting various levels of government.

The South DuSable Shelter, located at 4900 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., will be closed in the coming months. Current occupants will be relocated to other shelters that can better meet their needs. The Midway Shelter, which has been decompressing, is set to close on June 30. Additional changes to the shelter system will be announced later this summer.

According to city officials, these steps aim to ensure cost-effective and equitable operations for supporting Chicago's unhoused population. The decision to close South DuSable Shelter is seen as a necessary measure for absorbing cost reductions.

The city plans to contract with existing service providers at South DuSable Shelter in Hyde Park for up to six months during its decompression phase before closure. Occupants, mainly families, will transition to other suitable shelters.

Plans for Midway Shelter are currently pending following its scheduled closure on June 30. Initially intended to transition into a singles-only shelter, future configurations are being reconsidered due to the closure of South DuSable Shelter.

City services for unhoused residents remain unchanged. Individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness can call the city's 3-1-1 service line for shelter placement or the 2-1-1 service line for additional support options such as food assistance, housing connections, substance abuse treatment, mental health support, disability verification, and help with obtaining vital documents like State ID cards.

The One System Initiative is a collaborative effort involving the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, and community partners aimed at unifying support systems for new arrivals experiencing homelessness and other community members facing similar challenges.