Permanent Housing Programs
Deborah’s Place offers permanent supportive housing for women in two locations we manage. Participants have private residences, sign leases and pay rent based on income, although rent can be waived in cases where a resident has no income. Unlike shelters, there is no time limit for length of residency in these programs as long as a participant still qualifies for services.
All permanent housing programs are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Rebecca Johnson Apartments
East Garfield Park
The Rebecca Johnson Apartments mark the end of homelessness for 90 women who reside in studio apartments. All of these units are designated for women with disabilities.
Rebecca Johnson, a former participant, personified the struggles, spirit, defeats and victories of the women Deborah’s Place serves. She was one of the first women of Deborah’s Place to move into housing. She maintained that housing from 1990 until her death in December of 1997. We believe that naming the apartments after Rebecca Johnson is a fitting tribute to her determination and perseverance.
Patty Crowley Apartments
Old Town
The Patty Crowley Apartments provide a permanent home for 39 women with disabilities in private studio or shared bath apartments.
Patty Crowley is one of the original founding mothers of Deborah’s Place. Throughout her life, she was an active leader in social justice advocacy and a long-term, generous supporter of Deborah’s Place. The Deborah’s Place Board named these apartments in honor of Patty’s 90th birthday.
The Conservatory Apartments
Garfield Park
In this beautiful new building, 34 women live in sunny studio apartments. This permanent housing project was developed in partnership with the Interfaith Housing Development Corporation, and Deborah’s Place provides services onsite to support residents as they end their homelessness. The building includes 22 units for unsheltered women and 12 units for women with disabilities who have experienced chronic homelessness.
Opened in May 2024, the Conservatory Apartments is also the first large-scale affordable housing project in Chicago to meet the requirements of Passive House certification, a rigorous standard of energy efficient and sustainable architecture.
Interim Housing
Teresa’s Interim Housing
Old Town
Teresa’s Interim Housing is a ten-bed, 120-day interim housing program providing a safe, structured community. Women and staff work together to meet goals such as stable housing, employment, family reunification, and improved health.
The interim housing program of Deborah’s Place was named for Teresa Neuman. Teresa was a former participant of Marah’s and a member of the Board of Directors of Deborah’s Place. She was very involved in the planning of the building at 1530 N. Sedgwick. Teresa died in 1994 after a struggle with cancer. Board and staff felt that naming this program for her was a fitting tribute to her strength and leadership.
Safe Haven
Dolores’ Safe Haven
Old Town
Dolores’s Safe Haven provides a safe and supportive environment for fifteen women with severe mental illness who have been chronically homeless. These women are considered the hardest to house. Staff reach out and engage women to offer services that result in stable housing and increased quality of life.
Dolores was a woman who stayed in the Overnight Shelter at Deborah’s Place. She was smart, witty and loved a good book and conversation. Dolores died in 2003 in the company of Deborah’s Place volunteers and staff. Naming the Safe Haven after Dolores represents our commitment to respecting each individual woman’s choices and honoring her journey from homelessness to housing.
Community-Based Housing Programs
Not all women at Deborah’s Place live in one of our program sites; many live in their own apartments in the community. Deborah’s Place partners with private landlords across the city to provide housing to women coming directly from the street or shelter. We then provide ongoing case management to help them set and achieve their self-determined goals.
Are you a landlord interested in partnering with Deborah’s Place? Contact Gwen Johnson for more information at gwenjohnson@deborahsplace.org.