History
1988: Housing Options for the Mentally Ill in Evanston, Inc. is established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency by a group of Evanston citizens concerned about the lack of supportive housing in Evanston for adults with chronic mental illnesses.
After successfully lobbying to change a restrictive local ordinance, they had waited for an organization to develop the much-needed supportive housing. When none did, they started their own organization with support from the Mental Health Association of Evanston and several other community groups.
1989: Housing Options hires its first executive director and receives grants from the Evanston Community Foundation and the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
1990: Housing Options establishes an organizational system and expands its board of directors.
1991: Housing Options holds its first annual benefit.
1992: Housing Options opens its first building, Home First, with funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Illinois’ Division of Mental Health, and many private supporters. This six-unit building becomes home to 9 residents.
1993: The Supportive Housing and Information Program (SHIP) is launched, providing housing for 12 individuals in fully-furnished apartments scattered throughout Evanston. Bell House, a three-unit building housing 6 residents, is opened. With these additions, Housing Options increases its capacity by 200%.
1994: Housing Options receives its first funding from the City of Evanston and the United Way.
1995: Elizabeth Morse Trust awards Housing Options a grant to purchase an agency van.
1996: Two additional buildings are purchased: one that will house 6 individuals and another that will house 4 individuals. These buildings will come to be named Claire House and Ganey House, in honor of notable board members Claire McCarthy Peterson and Ray Ganey. With these two buildings, the organization’s housing program capacity is increased by 37%.
1997: Housing Options is granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
1998: Housing Options celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Since its inception, the agency has provided permanent and transitional housing to over 70 individuals.
2000: Pathways, a permanent housing program for 8 formerly homeless individuals, is launched, providing housing in fully-furnished apartments in scattered sites throughout Evanston. This addition grew Housing Options’ housing capacity by 21%.
2001: In total, more than 100 individuals have been served by the organization.
2003: Kirk House, a two-unit building for 4 residents, is opened specifically for older residents who experience mobility problems. Kirk House will later be renamed Gavin House after Larry Gavin, a founding board member. The addition of this building grew Housing Options’ housing capacity by 8%.
Mayor Lorraine Morton declares May 2003 Housing Options Month in Evanston in honor of its 15 years of service to the community.
2005: Housing Options brings in-house the delivery of support services to its residents. Prior to 2005, the agency had contracted with other agencies to provide the psychosocial services needed.
Pathways Plus is launched. Like the Pathways program, it provides housing for 8 formerly homeless adults in fully-furnished apartments throughout Evanston. With this program, Housing Options increased its housing capacity by 16%.
The Evanston Mental Health Board ranks Housing Options’ programs highest out of the 25 programs operated by 18 Evanston organizations that it funds.
2006: Housing Options receives a $1,000,000 donation from long-time supporters Dayle Duchossois and Ed Fortino to purchase a ten-unit building that will be home to 18 residents. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) provides over $1,000,000 in financing to renovate the new acquisition.
Housing Options launches its Non-Residential program, which provides support services to individuals with chronic mental illnesses who live with family or on their own.
Bell House was renamed Kreiman House, in honor of Alice Kreiman's support of and guidance to Housing Options.
2007: Housing Options completes the renovations and opens its newest building, Rose House. With the addition of this building, Housing Options increased its population served by 31%.
