We are neighbors of the Margarita Inn at 1566 Oak Ave. and support Connections for the Homeless’ application for a Special Use Permit for a Rooming House at that address. It is troubling to see so many objections raised to Connections continuing to help people who have been on the streets transition to permanent housing.
Connections stepped up tremendously at the beginning of the pandemic and has continued to operate in the neighborhood with a minimal number of problems. We, as Evanstonians, should be grateful that, because of the activities of Connections and its partners, there are no homeless encampments in Evanston.
With all the noise and rumors about how Connections functions at the Margarita Inn, some basic facts have been lost. The organization practices an evidence-based model called “Housing First,” based on five principles:
1. Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness (“immediate” can take some time because of the dire lack of appropriate housing).
2. Consumer choice and self-determination. Clients are referred to services, but they can’t be forced to engage, any more than your uncle with a drinking problem can be forced to attend AA.
3. Recovery orientation. This means that the environment aims to reduce the risks and harmful effects of addictive behaviors for the individual and community.
4. Individualized and client-driven supports depending on individuals’ needs for support.
5. Social and community integration. Yes, people who have been homeless should be right here in the heart of Evanston, where they can access transportation and services – and interact with neighbors.
The City of Evanston does not pay for Connections to provide housing. The money comes from the federal government through Cook County, and because of that, Connections cannot restrict access to Evanston residents. Although most Margarita Inn residents (80%) are from Evanston, the rest come from North Shore communities.
Mr. Halim is a proud immigrant and an astute businessman, but he is not an Evanstonian, despite owning the venue space and private museum (now closed) next to the Margarita Inn and the old King Home (empty since he bought it in 2017) across the street.
As longtime neighborhood residents, we are committed to the City Council’s vision of Evanston as “an anti-racist city that strives to value all citizens, be a welcoming place to all people, and examine its own practices that may unintentionally exclude some of our neighbors, particularly people of color” (Section 4 of the City of Evanston’s 2019 Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equity).
Mr. Halim contends that Connections does a poor job managing its operations. The data show otherwise: over 70% of Margarita residents transition into permanent housing solutions, vs. 40% for the national average. He is not an expert on best practices in helping people who have been homeless transition to permanent housing. If, as it seems, he believes that these people should be receiving more supportive services and case management, we suggest that he contribute generously to Connections to enable the organization to hire more people.
We would welcome Mr. Halim’s constructive engagement in making our neighborhood – and our city – the best place to live for all people.
Susan Munro
Toni Rey
Margarita neighbors
Love to see this kind of commitment by my neighbors to create a progressive and welcoming community for all. Makes me very happy to be an Evanstonian and proud to raise my young children here.
Excellent letter. The principles of Housing First (developed nationally and not by Connections) show why the demands of some neighbors in their newly proposed Good Neighbor agreement are wrongheaded — they are counter to the basic respect for the autonomy and agency of the individuals to be served. That respect, and treating people as individuals who have different needs, has led to better outcomes in ending homelessness than its opposite.
Yay for this. I’m wondering: does Mr. Halim not reside in the City of Evanston? I hadn’t even considered his residential location, but had assumed that because of his vociferous and litigious objection to this effort, he was a resident here. Maybe he’s just more worried about the success of his King Home project than he is about anything else in Evanston? Which is, of course, legitimate. But I’m offended by his on-going mischaracterization of Connections. Personally, I laud their efforts to help a difficult population. My feeling is: “There but for the grace of God go I.” And one more point I’d like to make is this: Evanston, like so many other urban areas, does, in fact, have a homeless problem. And it is neither caused nor exacerbated by Connections/Margarita Inn. I’d further posit the case that WITHOUT Margarita Inn, our homeless problem would be worse, not better. Have a little compassion, folks. I, too, live not far from Albany Care. Do I love having it in my neighborhood? Not really, but I can co-exist with it as long as some of the more egregious behaviors are controlled. These are human beings, as are our homeless population, who have challenges most of us cannot begin to fathom. We should consider ourselves fortunate indeed that we live among those with the fortitude to help them.
As far as I can ascertain, Mr. Halim lives in Winnetka.
Thanks, Amy. I agree with you. No, he does not live in Evanston. Good point about the King Home project. I grew up near Albany Care and still live nearby. IMO the challenges there are far greater than at Margarita Inn.
Thank you for reiterating the vision we have for Evanston, as a welcoming place for all people. Connections has taken on this challenge, for which I am grateful.
Honest question(s) for Connections and its supporters: The operating budget for CftH is ~$14mm and ~$5mm of that comes from COVID relief funds according to their own financial reports. What is the plan when that funding dries up? Is that being used to support the MI? When their operating budget normalizes back to pre-COVID years (I believe it was ~$7mm in 2019), what happens to all of their new endeavors? Text from CftH’s FY22 finacial report below:
“For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Organization had approximately 51% of its total support and revenue from funding from the Cook County Department of Planning and Development and Illinois Department of Human Services, of which approximately $5 million is coming from the federal government COVID funding as pass through funds.
For the year ended June 30, 2021, the Organization had approximately 37% of its total support and revenue from a combination of funding from Cook County Department of Planning and Development, of which approximately $5 million is coming from the federal government COVID funding as pass through funds.”
Gals,
I support you 100% to end systemic and structural racism and work towards equity for all peoples of Evanston. I have lived close to Albany Care for all my 30 years in Evanston and have not regretted the location……People need a place to live and shelter over their heads.
Thank you!
Thank you for this letter I agree with every point, especially Amy’ comment “There but for the grace of God/the universe go I.” I also grew up and live near Albany Care, which although a different type of facility faces similar criticisms. Really, who does not themselves experience or have loved ones who experience financial issues, mental health issues, interactions with law enforcement, problems with substances, domestic violence? The people seeking help from Connections should be referred to as WE not THEY. Maybe shifting our thinking that way could i still just a little more compassion and pride for serving other human beings. Yes In My Back Yard!