In a substantial move toward combatting the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis, West Englewood has introduced a new beacon of hope for families affected by the illness. Englewood Family Homes, a sanctuary now occupying the space of the former Clara's House, will provide 13 families living with HIV/AIDS not just a roof overhead, but also a comprehensive care package inclusive of health services and employment assistance. The Chicago House and Social Services Agency is the orchestrator behind this initiative, aiming to curb the transmission of HIV and support those most vulnerable.
The project, blossoming since the fall of 2019, was realized through the contributions of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Chicago Department of Housing, and the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Foundation, as detailed in a report by The Chicago Sun-Times. The Chicago House waits to swiftly receive final approval from the city Department of Buildings to welcome residents. Michael Herman, the chief executive of Chicago House, expressed his anticipation of offering "a stable, supportive home for 13 families," as told to The Sun-Times.
The dedication of the housing complex speaks volumes, replacing the vacancy of Clara's House—once a safe haven for women and children facing domestic violence. Rep. Sonya M. Harper recalled the pivotal role the shelter played and praised Englewood Family Homes for honoring Clara Kirk's legacy, affirming the premise that "quality housing for those who need it most" remains a community imperative, as reported by Block Club Chicago. Families chosen through the Chicago Housing Authority will occupy half the residences, while the rest will be filled via partnerships, including the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
The rehabbed building is designed to seamlessly integrate comfortable living with necessary supports; each unit houses essential amenities including a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and dining room. Moreover, Chicago House has primed to leverage the office and community spaces to manage nearly 500 residential spaces for those coping with HIV and homelessness, aiming to duly address the needs of the community. "Our hope with families over time is, once people are healthy and stable, some of the stigmas and discrimination people have around HIV status starts to diminish to help families be stable and independent," Herman explained in a statement obtained by Block Club Chicago.
Illustrative of Englewood's stride toward comprehensive care for those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the Englewood Family Homes act as an emblem of progress. Evany Turk, director of Chicago House’s residential housing program and beneficiary of the organization's lifeline, shared her testimony at the grand opening, "Standing here today as the director of residential housing, I am living proof of the transformative power of safe and supportive housing," as she relayed to Block Club Chicago. This facility not only stands to provide refuge and stability but also to reinforce the nationwide goal to quell the HIV epidemic by 2030.
