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Howard Brown Health plans $5 million Rogers Park clinic expansion

Howard Brown Health plans $5 million Rogers Park clinic expansion

Built World Chicago, IL local

A $3 million state grant funds initial work to convert 10,500 square feet into exam rooms and behavioral health space.

Today: Block Club reports expansion plans

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Howard Brown Health will convert 10,500 square feet of administrative and storage space at its Rogers Park clinic into exam rooms, behavioral health offices and a larger laboratory. The $5 million-plus renovation is seeded by a $3 million state grant and is expected to begin construction in spring 2027.

Once complete, the Clark Street clinic is expected to serve more than 10,000 patients a year, up about 2,400 from current capacity. Rogers Park is federally designated as both a Medically Underserved Area and a Low-Income Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area, and Howard Brown says the project will let patients get primary care, counseling and testing in one visit.

Why it matters

Rogers Park is federally designated medically underserved; the expansion adds 2,400 annual patient slots at a clinic that serves patients regardless of ability to pay.

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Key Indicators

$3M
State capital grant
Initial funding from the Illinois Rebuild Illinois program.
$5M+
Estimated renovation cost
Howard Brown says the project will exceed $5 million and needs additional funding.
10,500
Square feet to be renovated
Administrative and storage areas converted to clinical and patient care use.
2,400
Added annual patient capacity
Increase from current capacity to more than 10,000 patients a year.
10,000
Projected annual patients
Expected patient volume after the expansion is complete.
5
New primary care exam rooms
Additional rooms for primary care appointments.
4
Behavioral health consultation rooms
Dedicated space for counseling, psychiatric services and substance use treatment.
43,000
Howard Brown patients served annually
Systemwide total across seven health centers.

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People Involved

DG
Dr. Travis Gayles
President and CEO of Howard Brown Health
Leading the Clark Street expansion
 Mike Simmons
Mike Simmons
Illinois State Senator
Supports state funding for Howard Brown
 Kelly Cassidy
Kelly Cassidy
Illinois State Representative
Supports the Clark Street expansion
 J.B. Pritzker
J.B. Pritzker
Governor of Illinois
Rebuild Illinois program provides the $3 million grant

Organizations Involved

Howard Brown Health
Howard Brown Health
Federally Qualified Health Center
Planning a $5 million-plus expansion of its Rogers Park clinic

Chicago health center focused on LGBTQ+-affirming care that serves patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
RI
Rebuild Illinois
State capital program
Provides $3 million grant for the Clark Street renovation

Illinois capital construction program supporting investments in 21 community health centers across the state.

Timeline

1974 November 2026

5 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Block Club reports expansion plans

    Today Report

    Block Club Chicago details the 10,500-square-foot renovation and added patient capacity.

  2. Howard Brown announces expansion

    Announcement

    Plans call for a $5 million-plus renovation seeded by a $3 million state grant.

  3. IFF provides $5 million loan

    Financing

    The loan supports Howard Brown's purchase and renovation of the Clark Street facility.

  4. Clark Street clinic opens

    Opening

    Howard Brown opens its fifth clinic at 6500 N. Clark St. with 12 exam rooms.

  5. Howard Brown Health founded

    History

    The organization begins as a health center focused on LGBTQ+-affirming care.

Scenarios

1

Construction begins on schedule in spring 2027

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Howard Brown Health and Block Club Chicago

Howard Brown has said construction is expected to begin in spring 2027. The $3 million state grant covers initial work; the provider is still determining the full scope and seeking additional resources. If funding falls into place, work starts on converting 10,500 square feet.

2

Project stalls as Howard Brown seeks remaining funds

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Block Club Chicago

The $3 million grant is only the initial funding. Howard Brown says it needs additional resources to complete the buildout and other building improvements. If that money does not materialize, construction could slip past 2027.

3

Expanded clinic opens and serves 10,000 patients annually

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Howard Brown Health

Howard Brown expects the renovated Clark Street clinic to serve more than 10,000 patients a year, an increase of about 2,400. The project is planned in phases, with second-floor improvements in 2028.

Historical Context

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

December 2016

Howard Brown opens Rogers Park clinic (2016)

Howard Brown opened its fifth clinic at 6500 N. Clark St. in December 2016, with 12 exam rooms and walk-in sexual and reproductive care. It expected to serve nearly 5,000 new patients and create 19 full-time jobs.

Then

The clinic became Howard Brown's Rogers Park base.

Now

The site is now the target of a $5 million-plus renovation.

Why this matters now

The current expansion is the second major buildout at the same address, adding capacity to a clinic that opened a decade earlier.

June 2017

IFF finances Clark Street purchase (2017)

IFF, a community development financial institution, provided a $5 million loan to Howard Brown to purchase and renovate the Clark Street facility.

Then

The loan let Howard Brown own rather than rent its Rogers Park space.

Now

The clinic has operated there since late 2016.

Why this matters now

The new $3 million state grant follows a pattern of outside capital funding clinic upgrades.

1974

Howard Brown Health founded (1974)

Howard Brown Health was founded in 1974 and grew into a federally qualified health center focused on LGBTQ+-affirming care. It now operates seven health centers and serves more than 43,000 people annually.

Then

It became one of the Midwest's largest LGBTQ-focused health providers.

Now

Its Clark Street clinic is one of seven sites across Chicago.

Why this matters now

The expansion extends a decades-long buildout of community-based care.

Sources

(3)
Block Club Chicago Howard Brown Health IFF