- Credibility:
GARFIELD PARK — A homeless shelter for veterans planned for a vacant Garfield Park building has received funding after two years of applications — but more may be needed to get the shelter opened.
The Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute has received a $324,000 grant to establish a veteran housing center for up to eight families. The building will be at 4941 W. Chicago Ave. and focus on helping veterans in need in Austin and Garfield Park, state Rep. LaShawn Ford said.
In addition to food and housing, there are plans to provide physical, mental and behavioral treatments for veterans through the center. They will also provide employment assistance, COVID-19 vaccination referrals and personal protective equipment.
The grant funds will help the resource institute start on renovations to create the housing, including replacing the roof and adding modern appliances, furniture and hardwood floors to the Chicago Avenue building. Ford said there’s a solid opportunity to turn the building into something that benefits the community.
“We have a building that has been vacant and an eyesore for nearly 20 years,” Ford said. “When you look at what this can do for the community, we need to take advantage of the opportunity.”
The Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute is a nonprofit social service organization focused on improving the lives of residents in Austin and West Garfield Park.
The funding from the grant is not enough to complete renovations, as the building has fallen into further disrepair since the grant was applied for two years ago. Ford said he wants to lobby with the group to get more state funding to finish the project.
Organizers told the Sun-Times they need about $350,000 more to complete the building’s overhaul and keep it operational. Ford said the shelter could open this fall with proper funding.
“When you see veterans living under bridges and sleeping in bags near the airport, opening a facility like this is the right thing to do,” Ford said.
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