Evanston Church Breaks Ground on Homeless Shelter Renovation

The recent groundbreaking ceremony at Lake Street Church in Evanston marked a significant occasion for many, particularly for a woman named Danita. This event symbolized more than just the renovation and reopening of Hilda’s Place shelter; it was a homecoming to a place that had supported her family decades ago. Danita recalled, “We were looking for help to bridge the gap between working hard and securing our home. Connections for the Homeless offered rental assistance, and Interfaith Action of Evanston provided practical support.”

Hilda’s Place has been a cornerstone of support for Illinois residents for over 40 years, operating in the basement of Lake Street Church. On August 12, 2026, notable figures such as Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and others, participated in the ceremony to celebrate the planned renovation. Claire Murphy of Pioneer Press documented the event.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Connections for the Homeless had been using Hilda’s Place as a daytime service center. Now, with over $6.5 million in grant funding, the shelter will undergo significant renovations. These changes will reintroduce overnight services by spring 2027.

Betty Bogg, CEO of Connections for the Homeless, expressed at the groundbreaking that “homelessness is not the result of personal failure.” She emphasized that it stems from systemic issues. The forthcoming renovation will create 30 new shelter beds suitable for all genders. Facilities such as showers, laundry, and toilets will be added as enhancements.

During construction, Connections for the Homeless plans to relocate their day center from the basement to the first and second floors of the church. The non-profit intends to rebrand as “Housing Connections” to reflect its dedication to the community. Significant funding came from a $2 million federal grant obtained by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, alongside contributions from the City of Evanston, a local philanthropist, and private donors.

The Aug. 12 event included speeches from several community leaders who commended the efforts to expand housing resources. The YIGBY movement, which stands for “Yes in God’s Backyard,” intends to facilitate the transformation of unused church land into affordable housing. This initiative is in response to the more resistant “Not in My Backyard” attitude some residents hold. Though complex, due to zoning and municipal approvals, proponents aim for legislative changes to ease these processes.

Rev. Michael Woolf, senior minister of Lake Street Church, highlighted the ongoing challenges. He stated, “Too often, historical designations and zoning make it tough for faith-based entities to act on their convictions.” He voiced a commitment to advocating for necessary changes at all governmental levels.

Dan Cox, Board Chair for Connections for the Homeless, affirmed that Lake Street Church has long practiced the YIGBY principles. Christine Haley, the chief homelessness officer for Illinois, noted that although a bill related to the YIGBY initiative stalled previously, there is hope for reintroducing reforms in the upcoming legislative session.