The Hannah Center Modernization Project is a major redevelopment initiative by Cornerstone Community Outreach that will transform one of Chicago’s long-standing women’s shelters into a safer, modern, non-congregate environment designed for healing, stability, and pathways to permanent housing.
Located at 4628 N. Clifton Avenue in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, the Hannah Center has served women experiencing homelessness for decades. The modernization project will update the aging facility while preserving its critical role in the community. The renovation will transition second-floor congregate sleeping areas into 29 private rooms for women, while implementing comprehensive building upgrades that improve safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.
This investment reflects Cornerstone’s ongoing commitment to creating spaces that support dignity, recovery, and long-term housing stability.
A Response to a Critical Need
Women experiencing homelessness face unique vulnerabilities in congregate shelter environments. Many residents have experienced domestic violence, economic displacement, chronic health challenges, or prolonged housing instability. Shared sleeping environments can increase stress and limit privacy, making recovery from trauma more difficult.
Across the country, communities are increasingly moving toward non-congregate shelter environments that provide privacy, dignity, and safety. Yet relatively few modernization efforts have focused specifically on shelter environments for women.
The Hannah Center modernization responds to this need by creating a safer environment designed around privacy, accessibility, and trauma-informed design, allowing residents to stabilize and move forward toward permanent housing.
The Vision
The Hannah Center modernization is designed to transform an aging facility into a space that feels safe, calm, and supportive rather than institutional.
The project prioritizes:
• Private sleeping rooms for women experiencing homelessness
• Trauma-informed design that promotes safety and stability
• Accessible pathways and ADA-compliant facilities
• Durable finishes and modernized interior spaces
• Improved lighting and sanitation environments
• Modern fire protection and life-safety systems
Every element of the design is intended to support women as they stabilize, access services, and prepare for permanent housing.
Strengthening Safety and Stability
The modernization of the Hannah Center focuses on both resident wellbeing and long-term building safety.
The project includes upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, roof replacement, fire protection improvements, structural reinforcement, and building envelope stabilization. These improvements will bring the facility up to modern safety standards while protecting a critical community asset that has served the Uptown neighborhood for decades.
Private sleeping spaces significantly improve personal safety and reduce conflict within the shelter environment. Improved accessibility ensures that women with mobility limitations or chronic health conditions can safely access shelter and services.
Together, these improvements create a healthier and more stable environment where women can focus on recovery and housing placement.
Project Timeline
Planning & Design — 2024–2025
Engineering assessments, architectural planning, and renovation design are underway to ensure the building meets modern standards for safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.
Capital Funding — 2025–2027
Cornerstone is pursuing public and philanthropic funding partnerships to support the modernization of the Hannah Center.
Construction Preparation — 2027–2028
Final construction documents, permitting, and contractor procurement will prepare the project for renovation while minimizing disruption to ongoing shelter services.
Renovation & Modernization — 2028–2029
Construction will upgrade building systems, improve safety infrastructure, and create private living environments for residents.
Completion — 2029
The Hannah Center will reopen as a modernized non-congregate shelter environment supporting safety, healing, and pathways to permanent housing.
Part of a Larger Commitment and Community
The Hannah Center modernization is part of a broader effort by Cornerstone Community Outreach to transform shelter environments into person-centered, non-congregate spaces that support long-term housing stability.
Together with projects such as The Haven on Lincoln, these initiatives represent a shift toward modern shelter infrastructure that prioritizes dignity, health, and stability.
Cornerstone works closely with healthcare providers, behavioral health partners, housing agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure residents receive coordinated support during their stay and as they transition into permanent housing.
These partnerships strengthen continuity of care, expand access to services, and help residents move toward stability and independence.
Next Steps
As planning and funding efforts continue, Cornerstone Community Outreach is engaging partners and supporters who share a commitment to dignified shelter and housing solutions.
Support from the community helps advance planning, construction readiness, and long-term sustainability for this important project.
Supporters can get involved by:
• Learning more about Cornerstone’s housing redevelopment initiatives
• Exploring partnership opportunities that strengthen housing stability and health outcomes
• Making a contribution to support renovation and operational readiness
• Contacting the us at info@ccolife.org to learn more
Together, we can help create a place of stability and possibility for women working toward a permanent home.
The Hannah Center modernization is moving from vision to reality, and there are meaningful ways to be part of this work.
Project Supporters
City of Chicago – Department of Family & Support Services
Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons
Alderwoman Angela Clay
Illinois Representative Hoan Huynh
Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago
Republic Services
Thresholds
Trilogy
Montrose Behavioral Health
Greater Chicago Food Depository
ONE Northside
and community partners throughout Chicago
