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Table of Contents:
"According to the State of Illinois, approximately 20,000 people leave Illinois state prisons each year, and nearly 40% — 8,000 people — return to prison within three years." Mercy Housing Lakefront
"According to the State of Illinois, approximately 20,000 people leave Illinois state prisons each year, and nearly 40% — 8,000 people — return to prison within three years." Mercy Housing Lakefront
After over a decade behind bars, Maria Garza returned to a world with little support and even less stability. Facing housing insecurity and emotional strain, she saw firsthand the failures of a system that promised rehabilitation but delivered barriers. Determined to break the cycle, she co-founded Challenge II Change, a reentry organization that centers stable housing and mental health as the foundation for real second chances.
Challenge II Change
Challenge II Change
"Challenge II Change provides a safe and comprehensive inside and outside of prison model. We empower participants that are at high risk of becoming system-impacted, to challenge and overcome automatic beliefs and use practical strategies II change or modify their behavior. Thus resulting in more positive feelings, which in turn lead to more positive thoughts. Creating safer communities one Challenge at a time."
In collaboration with the Illinois Housing for Justice-Involved Individuals Program, Challenge II Change assists with locating and securing stable housing before and after release by providing
continued support to help participants transition smoothly into the community;
case management assistance in locating affordable housing, completing rental applications, and connecting with landlords open to working with returning citizens;
connections with local nonprofits and housing authorities to secure transitional or permanent housing placements;
access to short-term funds for security deposits or first-month rent through community partnerships.
Contact Information
Contact Information
Challenge II Change
31 W Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60506
Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 10 AM–3 PM
Life Impacters Foundation
Life Impacters Foundation
"LIF offers a comprehensive array of multi-social services aimed at uplifting the community. Through unwavering dedication, LIF stands as a testament to transformative impact, fostering positive change and empowerment within the local fabric of Chicago's west side."
They partner with local stakeholders to
prevent homelessness by addressing crises before eviction;
provide a continuum of housing — from short-term assistance to permanent placement;
empower clients through skills training, wrap-around case management, and peer support;
center equity by serving those facing systemic barriers (e.g., returning citizens, survivors of violence);
Contact Information
Contact Information
Life Impacters Foundation (LIF)
2100 N. Kildare Ave; Chicago, IL 60639
Phone: (773) 647-0000
Email: ilifeimpactersfoundation@gmail.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
Teamwork Englewood
Teamwork Englewood
"Teamwork Englewood is dedicated to providing holistic services and advocating for returning residents. Our multifaceted strategies–legal support, innovative job training, community education, and more–are designed to empower participants by facilitating access to opportunities that they historically have not had. Bridging the gap between release from incarceration and successful reintegration into society is not only a win for the Greater Englewood community, but it is a social and economic win for the city of Chicago at large."
teamworkenglewood.org/programs-re-entry
They provide housing support through
Transitional housing and shelter referrals
community navigators program
Holistic case management & coordination
In the news: https://southsideweekly.com/returning-citizens-still-face-barriers-despite-protective-policies/
Contact Information
Contact Information
Teamwork Englewood
Drop-In Center
815 W. 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60621
Email: info@teamworkenglewood.org
(773) 488-6600
TASC: Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities
TASC: Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities
TASC supports returning citizens across Illinois with a dedicated case manager who conducts a housing needs assessment and creates a tailored service plan, provides rapid one-time funds for security deposits, first-month rent, and utilities, and leverages partnerships with nonprofits and housing authorities to secure transitional and subsidized housing—accompanying clients through referrals, property tours, lease signings, and Section 8 or reentry-focused voucher applications.
Duration of support: Typically 6–12 months of ongoing housing case management and check-ins; emergency funds are one-time grants per housing episode.
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Who’s eligible: Adults enrolled in TASC’s Reentry Services (justice-involved) or Recovery Programs (substance use).
Be referred by IDOC/Reentry Specialist, parole/probation officer, or self‐refer via TASC’s Intake line.
Complete intake—including background, treatment needs, and housing history.
Work with your Case Manager to identify available units, submit applications, and arrange financial assistance.
Contact Information
Contact Information
TASC Reentry & Recovery Services
Chicago Intake: (312) 427-8990
Email: reentry@tasc.org
Locate services near you
Mercy Housing Lakefront offers permanent housing and comprehensive residential services, including case management support to help with budgeting, employment, and legal assistance. There are also substance misuse recovery and family reunification programs, along with resident-led support groups that foster leadership skills and build community.
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Creates stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors, and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities.
https://www.mercyhousing.org/lakefront/
Program for Justice-Involved Residents
Mercy Housing Lakefront (MHL) partners with reentry advocates and funders to remove housing barriers for justice-involved individuals, offering stable homes plus tailored support to help residents rebuild their lives.
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Applicants must meet standard income limits (generally ≤60% of Area Median Income)
Returning citizens referred by Safer Foundation, IDOC reentry specialists, or partner nonprofits receive priority intake
Required documents include proof of release date, photo ID, and income verification
Contact & Intake
Contact & Intake
Mercy Housing Lakefront Headquarters
120 S. La Salle Street, Ste. 1850
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 726-3327
The Hospitality House: PBMR supports returning citizens by providing housing and community, two critical components of successful reentry, to individuals who have served sentences of at least 20 years.
"Residents at the Hospitality House are embraced by a community of peers who have overcome the vice of incarceration and are working to advance restorative justice principles in Back of the Yards." www.pbmr.org/reentry
Contact & Intake
Contact & Intake
PBMR Intake & Case Management Office
2844 W. 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60632
Phone: (773) 483-4300
Email: info@pbmr.org
Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) is a South Side Chicago–based restorative justice organization that accompanies families and returning citizens impacted by violence, incarceration, poverty, racism, and generational trauma. It embeds holistic housing services within its case-management model and partners with local nonprofits to ensure clients secure stable homes. https://www.pbmr.org/
PBMR operates the Women Forward Initiative, where women and their families gather in a community setting to support one another as they navigate reintegration and the effects of incarceration.
Housing Support via Case Management
Transitional Housing Referrals
Mothers & Families Housing Advocacy
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Open to individuals and families residing in PBMR’s focus neighborhoods who are:
Returning citizens
Mothers & families impacted by incarceration
Youth/young adults navigating juvenile justice
No formal external application; clients enroll by:
Walking in or calling PBMR’s intake office
Being referred by Cook County Jail ministries, parole/probation officers, or partner nonprofits
Meeting with a Case Manager to co-design a housing and services plan
St. Leonard’s Ministries operates Saint Leonard’s House, an interim residential program on Chicago’s Near West Side, offering formerly incarcerated men and women a safe, no-cost living environment coupled with wrap-around services. Saint Leonard's House
Contact & Intake
Contact & Intake
Saint Leonard’s Ministries
2100 W. Warren Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 738-1414
For reentry referrals, partners can connect via the website intake form or coordinate directly with Saint Leonard’s Case Management office.
Saint Leonard's House
Saint Leonard's House
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Open to adults recently released from Illinois prisons or county jails.
No fees or rent charged to residents — Saint Leonard’s Ministries fully fund services.
Intake is typically coordinated through IDOC reentry specialists, probation/parole officers, or community referrals.
Residents agree to abide by house rules, observe a curfew, and participate in case-management activities.
Saint Leonard’s House Facilities & Services
Saint Leonard’s House Facilities & Services
Multiple buildings
Private studios and shared rooms
On-site chapel, library, recreation rooms, weight room, and laundry facilities
Communal dining hall
Case Manager who guides access to programs, tracks progress, and coordinates referrals.
Counseling and group therapy through Adler Community Health Services.
On-site substance-use counseling provided by Healthcare Alternative Systems.
Structured group activities to foster peer support, leadership, and life-skills development.
Safer Foundation offers returning citizens a holistic reentry model in which housing stability is woven into every stage of their services — from pre-release planning to post-release case management.
Safer Foundation Housing Offerings:
Permanent Supportive Housing
Subsidized Housing
Affordable Housing
Contact & Intake
Contact & Intake
Safer Foundation Main Office
571 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 922-2200
Safer Foundation Belmont Cragin Center
6352 W. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
Phone: (773) 252-6439
Services: Bilingual reentry services, Latinx community outreach
Safer Foundation
Safer Foundation
The Safer Foundation is one of the nation’s largest and most respected nonprofits dedicated to supporting justice-involved individuals. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Chicago, it provides comprehensive reentry services that include employment training, education, behavioral health, housing navigation, and policy advocacy.
They serve over 5,000 clients annually via multiple sites, with a strong focus on reducing recidivism and improving socio-economic outcomes. Each site offers tailored services based on community needs, with many locations providing bilingual support, workforce training, and housing navigation.
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Open to adults enrolled in any Safer reentry program
Referral sources include IDOC reentry specialists, parole/probation officers, and self-referral via Safer’s hotline
Intake involves housing history review, needs assessment, and service-plan co-creation
Clients typically receive housing case management for 6–12 months post-placement
Supportive Reentry Network Collaboration
Supportive Reentry Network Collaboration
The Safer Foundation addresses the most immediate needs of returning citizens.
Public benefits (food, transportation, healthcare)
Housing referrals and navigator accompaniment on property tours
A whole-health approach ensuring stable housing alongside medical and behavioral health supports
FirstSteps Community House
A five-bedroom transitional residence near downtown Champaign, owned by the Housing Authority of Champaign County and operated rent-free by First Followers.
Opened in December 2019 with capacity for four residents plus an overnight supervisor.
Private bedrooms furnished with beds, dressers, and inspirational artwork.
No resident has returned to prison while housed at FirstSteps.
GoMAD workforce program participants renovate community housing, creating job skills and affordable units.
Active in local policy and neighborhood efforts, influencing reentry practices across Champaign–Urbana.
Contact & Intake
Contact & Intake
FirstFollowers
PO Box 8923, Champaign, IL 61826
Email: firstfollowerscu@gmail.com
firstfollowersreentry.com/housing
Drop-in Center* located inside
314 Cottage Court, Champaign, IL 61820
*Open Tuesdays and Thursdays,
1:00pm - 5:00pm
First Followers, Champaign
First Followers, Champaign
First Followers is a peer-driven nonprofit that began as a drop-in center in 2015, operating from Bethel AME Church. It builds community through reentry by connecting formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones to housing, employment, and support networks.
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Eligibility & Referral Pathways
Prospective residents can connect through parole or probation officers, community partners, or by visiting the First Followers’ drop-in center.
Staff conduct a needs-based assessment to tailor housing plans and determine eligibility.
Acceptance is based on readiness to engage in reentry services and room availability.
Other Supports
Other Supports
Peer mentoring by formerly incarcerated staff who guide residents through daily challenges and goal setting.
Assistance in obtaining state IDs, enrolling in medical insurance, and securing stable income.
Life-skills coaching: resume writing, budgeting, and accessing education or vocational training.
Partnerships with local nonprofits and HACC enable residents to transition into longer-term affordable housing
This list is not exhaustive and was developed based on Reparations Media's contact with agency representatives and/or clients (former and/or current). It is intended to support efforts to secure safe and stable housing for systems-impacted individuals and families.
This list is not exhaustive and was developed based on Reparations Media's contact with agency representatives and/or clients (former and/or current). It is intended to support efforts to secure safe and stable housing for systems-impacted individuals and families.
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