Chicago is set to close five shelters for migrants in the upcoming weeks, relocating nearly 800 individuals, including families, to make way for the reopening of park district buildings hosting summer camps and community events. This move is part of the city's efforts to address the needs of individuals arriving from the U.S. border with Mexico.
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the plan to close the park district shelters, citing that they are no longer necessary. The city has seen over 37,000 migrants arriving since 2022, with many coming from Venezuela due to the social, political, and economic crisis in the country.
While some residents have protested the use of park district fieldhouses as shelters, the city has reported a decrease in the number of individuals in city-run shelters, with over 10,000 people currently housed in such facilities.
Although the park buildings' closure will take several weeks, the city aims to move individuals to other shelters closer to the park locations, especially families with children enrolled in nearby schools.
Chicago has implemented a 60-day limit on shelter stays since mid-March, with exemptions for families with school-going children. The city has reported only 24 individuals leaving shelters due to the caps.
Volunteers working with migrants express concerns about the forced relocation disrupting migrants' efforts to find work and ensure their children attend school. While the city aims to keep individuals relatively close, the move is seen as highly disruptive.
Despite the challenges, the city has reported that over 15,000 people have found alternative housing since 2022, with many utilizing rental assistance programs provided by the state.
As the city proceeds with the closure of the park district shelters, volunteers emphasize the importance of supporting migrants in their transition to new accommodations and ensuring continuity in their daily lives.
