The Haven on Lincoln

The Haven on Lincoln is a collaborative development between the Chicago Department of Housing and the Chicago Department of Public Health. Designed by Gensler, this new 40-unit short-term housing solution provides wraparound health and social services for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those living with untreated physical and behavioral conditions.

Building on a successful model implemented during the pandemic, the conversion project will transform a 1960s motel, utilizing a trauma-informed design lens with input from medical practitioners, to create housing with indoor and outdoor spaces that evoke stability and security. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, the site’s parking lot will become a communal courtyard with raised beds for planting lessons, flexible furniture, and shaded pergolas, harnessing the healing power of nature.

As The Haven strives to improve residents’ overall health and housing outcomes, the renovation will exemplify the future of resilient short-term housing design. The all-electric-powered facility will feature a unique solar-power-charged battery system, enabling its core functions to operate independently for up to a week.