CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago City Council's Housing Committee has given its blessing for a pilot program to convert an old Lincoln Square motel building into an ambitious type of housing for the homeless.
The Committee on Housing and Real Estate approved a pilot program to turn what was the Diplomat Motel at 5230 North Lincoln Avenue into transitional housing for people with serious medical issues.
40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez said there would be intense medical help on site for people with mental health or substance abuse issues and other wraparound services.
"Most of the shelters you have are like everybody under one roof-not everyone getting their own unit," he explained.
"This is part of the pilot of like if you set it up with all the support system in place, your person that you see on the street doesn't have to be on the street if everything else if everything else is wrapped around and so this is probably the first of its kind in the city."
27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. was among those impressed with the concept.
"I'm now used to seeing housing projects like this with the Health Department being involved," he said. "I think that's great."
The plan goes to the full City Council next week for final approval.
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