Oak Park will officially open Cook County’s first bridge housing project named Sojourner House during a Community Dedication ceremony from 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 5 at its location on Austin Boulevard. The house is an effort to assist families facing homelessness in the community.
The five-apartment building that includes a separate coach house unit is designed provide short-term housing for families while they look for other permanent housing solutions. It also hopes to differentiate from PADS shelters by providing additional needs to those recovering from medical treatment or requiring additional accessibility support.
The project is part of a collaboration of Housing Forward, Oak Park Housing Authority, MacNeal Hospital and Oak Park Residence Corporation.
Additional support and construction came from several organizations, such as Oak Park Township, Village of Oak Park, Loyola Medicine, Community Mental Health Board, Cook County Public Health, Elevate Energy, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program, McAdam Landscaping, Kapetaneas Painting Inc. and the DC14 Apprenticeship Program.
Local Eagle Scouts also designed the house’s perimeter fence.
The house has been renovated to look more modern with newly-designed kitchens and bathrooms.
Sojourner House is located at 324 N. Austin Blvd. in Oak Park.
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