WJW Architects

We are excited to share that the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter received some press attention recently! The project was featured on CBS News and in Block Club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAcQciNK0tI

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/19/southwest-sides-aloha-motel-to-become-homeless-shelter-with-55-private-rooms-on-site-programs/

Thanks to funding assistance from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and Cook County, this collaboration with BEDS Plus is moving forward to convert the former Aloha Motel in Chicago into a fixed site transitional shelter. The renovation will transform existing motel rooms, offices, and support spaces. The shelter will include 80 beds and host up to 90 residents at a time, serving individuals and families.

Additional common space will be added through a small addition to the existing building and include a new lobby area, clinical space, business center, and a large welcoming serving kitchen and dining room/meeting space for residents. A small one-story building will be added for staff and resident laundry along with building storage.

Transitional shelter housing is a much-needed bridge between traditional short-term shelters and permanent supportive housing. WJW has been proud to partner with BEDS Plus on the full spectrum of housing, healthcare, and service options for our unhoused community members.

WJW was thrilled to attend the recent grand opening of Hamlin Avenue Apartments in Alsip, IL. The event had a great turnout, including Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois State Representative Mary Gill, Village of Alsip Mayor John Ryan, officials from the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Cook County Department of Planning and Development, and Sertoma Star Services President and CEO Kelly Berardelli. The event was covered in The Beverly Review: https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/community_news/article_bc1362e0-9a88-4da7-9740-df574b242b1b.html

The two-story permanent supportive housing (PSH) building will offer 25 apartments for people receiving support from Sertoma Star Services, an organization in the southwest suburbs that serves adults living with mental illness or other disabilities, along with their families. The design of the building was made more responsive to the specific needs of residents and staff with information gleaned from post-occupancy evaluations of completed PSH buildings conducted by WJW in 2024.

The building was designed to fit seamlessly into the surrounding suburban residential neighborhood, with a generous front porch and resident courtyard. Its location in the community is ideal, offering residents easy walking and transit access to jobs, education, and other services.

Thank you to our project partners Sertoma Star Services, Brush Hill Development, Blackwood Group LLC, and Crane Construction Company, LLC! Photos of the event courtesy of Sertoma Star Services; exterior and interior photos of the building courtesy Blackwood Construction Group LLC, and Crane Construction LLC.