The past six years have been anything but routine for Housing Forward. Founded in 1992, Housing Forward’s mission is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. The organization was based upon the PADS model of housing clients at 7 rotating temporary shelters at a network of religious organizations and staffed primarily by volunteers, throughout Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.

In 2020, the temporary shelter model was shut down due to concerns about the spread of the Covid virus. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward made the first of many necessary pivots. In October 2020, the agency entered a one-year lease of the historic Write Inn Hotel at 211 N. Oak Park Ave. and began using the hotel’s 65 rooms as interim housing.

Interim housing serves as a way to transition people from homelessness to stable housing. At the Write Inn, people were provided with private accommodations, daily meals and wraparound support that helped them prepare for and move into permanent housing.

The site was also used to establish the RISE Medical Respite Program in connection with Cook County Health. The RISE program ensures that people who have a medical event have a stable place to recuperate, access to round-the-clock nursing care and additional supportive services that help facilitate a transition to more permanent housing.

Already in their six-year history at the site, Schueler says Housing Forward has served over 800 clients and that roughly 80% of those clients have moved into permanent housing. “It speaks to the success of the model,” she says, noting that the physical environment is a key component to physical and mental health.

In November 2023, with the help of grants and loans, Housing Forward was able to purchase the Write Inn to make its Interim Housing and RISE programming permanent. This October work began to revitalize the outdated facilities to make them better suited for Housing Forward’s needs for the future. 

Schueler says, “We’re so excited to get started, to be able to transform this 100-year-old building into something new and modernized.”

In September, all clients and the RISE program were moved into a temporary location at the Oak Park YMCA, ensuring no disruption of services during the duration of the renovations, which Schueler estimates will take about 13 months.

Scaffolding is going up around the building and exterior renovations will proceed first to take advantage of good weather conditions. Schueler says the exterior will see tuckpointing, new windows and a new roof. The interior work will include all new mechanicals, HVAC and electrical systems.

Working with LBBA Architects, Housing Forward will maintain the art deco hotel lobby area as office space. The building is within the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District but is not landmarked, and the renovation will retain exterior elements and the lobby details.

On the interior, there will be no demolition of the current client rooms, but the rooms will be significantly upgraded. After the renovation, there will be 62 client rooms, and the number of handicap accessible rooms will increase to 22 from 4.

Common areas and office spaces will be reworked to create more usable space for clients and staff. A prep kitchen will allow volunteers and clients to prepare fresh food instead of relying solely on pre-made items. A community room and a reimagined patio will provide more welcoming spaces for clients to gather.

Hemmingway’s Bistro, which is not affiliated with Housing Forward, is currently operating on the ground floor of the building. Scheuler says the renovation plans were designed to allow the restaurant to remain open during construction.

Schueler estimates that all-in the project will cost about $18.5 million. “It’s a big undertaking for the agency,” she says, adding the project is being funded by five public agencies: Illinois Housing Development Authority; Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; Village of Oak Park and funding from Cook County’s American Rescue Plan Act stimulus. Private support is also a necessary part of the funds needed to support the project.

The location close to transportation, the library and public services has been ideal, and Schueler is most looking forward to what the revamped, former hotel will provide for clients.

 “The new space will allow for predictability, privacy and a sense of community. You stay in survival mode when you don’t have a place to come back to,” she says.

Before the scaffolding went up in anticipation of the project kick off, a new sign on the front of the building advertises its rebranding as the Oak Inn. Schueler says, “We renamed the building in honor of an Oak tree. It has strength and roots in the community. The branches are reaching up and growing. That’s what clients do here. They reach for the sky and are empowered to grow.”

To read more about the progress of the renovation or to make a donation to the project, visit the Housing Forward campaign here:  https://www.housingforward.org/forward-campaign