Chicago breaks ground on first long-term housing for domestic violence survivors

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Chicago officials broke ground Friday on a 64-unit affordable housing development for domestic violence survivors in North Center. The project, at 3959 N. Lincoln Ave., is the first of its kind in the city and will provide long-term homes with onsite support services.

The development addresses a gap: domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women, yet survivors often struggle to find stable housing. The building will offer 64 units, from one to three bedrooms, and Apna Ghar will provide childcare, mental health resources, and legal help. Construction is expected to take 20 months.

Why it matters

If successful, this project could become a model for providing permanent supportive housing to domestic violence survivors, a group often excluded from traditional affordable housing.

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Key Indicators

Affordable housing units

One-, two-, and three-bedroom units for domestic violence survivors.

$60M

Estimated total cost

Project cost for the adaptive reuse and new construction.

$11.4M

City of Chicago contribution

Funding from the Chicago Department of Housing.

130

Days without a shelter bed in 2024

Days in 2024 when no domestic violence shelter bed was available in Chicago.

140%

Increase in hotline calls since 2019

Rise in calls to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline from 2019 to 2024.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Executive Director, Apna Ghar

Executive Director

Shaunagh McGoldrick

Director of Housing Advocacy, The Network

Director

David Brint

Founding Principal, Brinshore Development

Founding Principal

Organizations Involved

Brinshore Development

Affordable housing developer

Developer

A developer specializing in affordable housing, partnering with Apna Ghar on the North Center project.

Apna Ghar

Nonprofit

Service provider

A nonprofit serving survivors of gender-based violence for almost 40 years.

The Network

Advocacy organization

Data provider

Operates Illinois's statewide domestic violence hotline and advocates for survivors.

Chicago Department of Housing

Government agency

Funder

The city agency contributing $11.4 million to the project.

Timeline

1 event Latest: 3 days ago

October 2026
Groundbreaking for 64-unit housing for domestic violence survivors
Latest Development

Officials broke ground on the first long-term affordable housing development for domestic violence survivors in Chicago, a 64-unit project at 3959 N. Lincoln Ave.
3 days ago

Scenarios

Construction completes on schedule, 64 units open in 2028

Likely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Brinshore Development, Chicago Department of Housing

Brinshore expects construction to take 20 months, putting completion around mid-2028. If funding and construction proceed without major delays, the building will open as the first long-term housing for domestic violence survivors in Chicago.

Construction delays push opening to 2029

Possible Resolves by Q2 2029

Discussed by: Construction industry analysts, Block Club Chicago

Affordable housing projects often face delays due to funding gaps, supply chain issues, or permitting. If the 20-month timeline slips, the opening could be pushed into 2029.

Chicago announces second housing development for survivors

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Ald. Matt Martin, housing advocates

At the groundbreaking, Ald. Matt Martin said the development 'can't be the last.' If the city and partners commit to replicating the model, a second project could be announced within a year.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1991

Family Rescue opens first transitional housing for domestic violence survivors (1991)

Family Rescue opened Ridgeland Apartments, a 22-unit transitional housing program in Chicago for survivors of domestic violence and their children. It was the first such program in the country.

Then

Provided immediate shelter and support for survivors.

Now

Became a model for transitional housing programs nationwide.

Why this matters now

The new North Center project goes further by offering long-term affordable housing, not just transitional, addressing the shortage of permanent options.

2017