Lake Street Church Renovates Hilda’s Place Shelter in Evanston

For Danita, the ceremony at Lake Street Church in Evanston symbolized more than reopening a renovated space. It represented a return to the Hilda’s Place shelter, which provided shelter 37 years ago when she needed it. Danita, an Evanston resident, reflected, “Our family needed help bridging the gap between hard work and moving into our home.” Connections for the Homeless supplied rental assistance, while Interfaith Action of Evanston offered practical support.

For over 40 years, Hilda’s Place has offered overnight accommodations in Lake Street Church’s basement, making it one of Illinois’ longest-running emergency shelters. Significant renovation plans will allow the space to provide overnight shelter once again by spring 2027. Key figures at the groundbreaking, including Christine Haley, Rev. Michael Woolf, and others, joined community members to celebrate the beginning of this project.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Connections for the Homeless used Hilda’s Place exclusively as a daytime service center. Now, thanks to over $6.5 million in grant funding, the shelter will undergo renovations, adding 30 beds, showers, laundry, and toilet facilities. Connections’ day center activities will move to other floors of Lake Street Church during this time.

Connections for the Homeless CEO Betty Bogg said, “Homelessness stems from systems failing, not personal failings.”

Bogg explained their plans to rebrand as “Housing Connections,” emphasizing their commitment to Evanston. Funding for this project includes a $2 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, alongside support from the City of Evanston, an anonymous local philanthropist, and private donors.

At the event, speakers like Schakowsky, Mayor Daniel Biss, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, and Rev. Woolf highlighted Connections’ dedication to housing in partnership with faith-based groups and the YIGBY movement, which stands for “Yes in God’s Backyard.” This movement seeks to convert vacant church land into affordable housing.

“Repurposing church land is complicated due to zoning and other approvals required by municipalities,” Rev. Woolf stated.

YIGBY advocates pressing for legislative developments that streamline municipal approvals for churches. Rev. Woolf noted, “Historical designations and zoning often hinder these faith-based initiatives.”

Dan Cox, Board Chair of Connections for the Homeless, stated YIGBY’s ideas align with Lake Street Church’s practices for decades. “Homelessness affects our community; addressing it requires community involvement,” Cox said.

Christine Haley from the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness mentioned a YIGBY-related bill was introduced recently but stalled in the Illinois General Assembly. Officials are hopeful that upcoming legislative sessions might revive and pass reforms to ease regulatory challenges and support affordable housing projects.