Proposed fixed-site homeless shelters operated by PADS Lake County are a step closer to becoming a reality, though the 90-person building for single individuals planned in Gurnee has more obstacles ahead of it than the 64-family facility targeted for Waukegan.
Shifting from a system where the homeless — families as well as individuals — are moved from one church basement to another, into a permanent building with services available to help them achieve permanent housing is more likely in a fixed-site situation, officials say.
Allen Swilley, the PADS executive director, said the success rate in a fixed-site shelter is significantly better than moving people to a different place night after night, or using hotel rooms as was the practice since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our success rate when we used the churches was 4%,” Swilley said. “It’s 46% using the hotels. With fixed sites in the area, it’s between 80% and 86%. Our goal is to have them leave the shelter for a stable life.”
The Lake County Board approved the pass-through of $2 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to Waukegan, and the same amount to Gurnee Tuesday to help fund both PADS shelters.
County Board Chair Sandy Hart, D-Lake Bluff, said the county submits the grant application for PADS because the $15 million DCEO made available to build homeless shelters is limited to Community Development Block Grant entitlement communities.
Though the county is acting as an agent for Waukegan and Gurnee to help them get the funding, approval of zoning changes, building permits and other requirements to renovate two one-time hotels into homeless shelters is decided by the respective municipalities.
While the Waukegan City Council unanimously approved the necessary zoning changes and conditional use permit for PADS on June 17, Swilley said those requirements are awaiting a decision in Gurnee.
PADS will seek a positive recommendation for a zoning change and conditional use permit from the Gurnee Planning and Zoning Board on July 24. Swilley said hopefully the Village Board of Trustees will consider the project when it meets on Aug. 19.
Before Gurnee’s Planning and Zoning Board even began to look at the PADS project, opposition was growing among village residents evidenced by the overflow crowd at the June 17 Village Board meeting.
“It’s real loud and clear,” Gurnee Mayor Thomas Hood said at the June 17 meeting as a string of residents made their opposition to the project known. “(You’re) very passionate about this.”
Proposed for the former Fairbridge/Gurnee motel at 3740 Grand Ave., just east of Highway 41 near the corner of Grand and Waveland avenues, the renovated building would house 90 single residents or couples without children.
Before the County Board voted on the Gurnee shelter, three members of the public spoke remotely asking the legislative body to deny the funds transfer on Tuesday. They complained about the price PADS was paying, the impact on the community and the hazards it could cause.
“It’s not safe or suitable, and will create hazardous conditions,” Jorie Stuckwisch said remotely. “There’s no kitchen for them to cook their own food.”
“There are three children’s playgrounds nearby,” added Lori Issacson, also speaking remotely. “This is not the place for a shelter.”
There was almost no opposition from the board as seven of the 17 members who spoke about the shelters supported them. Only Diane Hewitt, D-Waukegan, voiced disapproval of the Waukegan venture because Beach Park residents in her district did not have an opportunity to voice their views.
Board member Gina Roberts, D-Beach Park, said she sees the impact of homelessness on families each January when she volunteers to participate in the annual census of homeless people sleeping outdoors.
“I see the mothers and children sleeping in their cars trying to stay warm,” Roberts said. “It’s important we have a (fixed-site) shelter for the mothers and children.”
Board Vice Chair Mary Ross Cunningham, D-Waukegan, said putting the shelters in Waukegan and Gurnee is appropriate, but homelessness is not exclusive to northeast Lake County. She said it is a reality in Highland Park, Lake Forest and Gurnee as well.
“We’ll be much better off with these shelters,” Cunningham said. “We’re blessed to have places like this for people trying to get back on their feet.”
When done, Swilley said both shelters will have communal space, as well as specific areas for sleeping. In Waukegan, 64 of the 79 rooms in the former motel on Lewis Avenue will house a family. The rest will be communal areas.
“They shouldn’t have to spend all day in their room,” Swilley said in June. “There will be a Waukegan Public Library Branch. There will be a wraparound center for employment search, mental health and medical needs.”
