DFSS Announces New Operator for City's Centralized Shelter Intake, Transportation, and Crisis Response Program

DFSS ANNOUNCES NEW OPERATOR FOR CITY'S CENTRALIZED SHELTER INTAKE, TRANSPORTATION, AND CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM
The Department of Family and Support Services has selected A Safe Haven Foundation as the new delegate agency that will oversee operations for the City's Centralized Shelter Intake, Transportation, and Crisis Response program.

The Department of Family and Support Services has selected A Safe Haven Foundation as the new delegate agency that will oversee operations for the City's Centralized Shelter Intake, Transportation, and Crisis Response program.

CHICAGO, IL - Following a competitive request for proposals process, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has named nonprofit social services provider A Safe Haven Foundation as the new head of operations for the City's Centralized Shelter Intake, Transportation, and Crisis Response (CSITCR) program. A Safe Haven will assume operations by Jan. 1, 2026. The program will continue to operate out of the existing CSITCR location, Garfield Community Service Center, located at 10 S. Kedzie.

A longstanding social services leader in Chicago serving more than 3,000 clients annually, A Safe Haven supports individuals in crisis through comprehensive customized services including housing, case management, behavioral health, employment, education and more. DFSS has a strong existing partnership with A Safe Haven, which currently serves as a delegate providing shelter and housing services in addition to workforce services support.

"A Safe Haven is an outstanding pillar of support for our City's most vulnerable and is a proven leader in connecting the unhoused to the resources they need in order to recover and thrive," said DFSS Commissioner Angela Green. "We look forward to this new partnership with A Safe Haven as we work together to strengthen and optimize the quality of service and supports available on the front lines of the City's homeless services work."

The CSITCR delegate agency serves as the first point of contact for Chicagoans seeking shelter or in need of crisis response services in Chicago, as well as the manager of the City's real-time shelter bed inventory. Services from this program are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and citywide. The program works in conjunction with a myriad of City partners and departments to assist with wellbeing checks, disaster relief, and in other situations where city residents may need connection to crisis resources, transportation, or shelter.

"We are honored to be selected to partner with the Department of Family and Support Services on their citywide Centralized Shelter Intake, Transportation, and Crisis Response program," said A Safe Haven Foundation President Mark Mulroe. "We are especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the network of shelter providers and the Homeless Services team at DFSS who have been on the front lines of addressing homelessness in Chicago with dedication and heart. With compassionate teams, innovative technology, and strong operational systems, we're committed to empowering Chicago's most vulnerable residents to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose."

Responsibilities of the CSITCR delegate include maintaining a real-time inventory of available shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness and domestic violence and serving as the central clearinghouse for single-occupancy beds, as well as collaborating with the delegate agency responsible for managing the clearinghouse for family shelter beds.

The CSITCR delegate also responds to requests for shelter for all populations including survivors of domestic violence. This includes contacting clients, conducting intake assessments, identifying appropriate shelter placements, and providing transportation to shelter.

The Delegate also responds to crises including requests for well-being checks, assisting victims of fire or other disasters, general outreach and engagement, transportation, extreme weather events, mass care services, and emergency vacate orders.

The CSITCR program is currently led by The Salvation Army, whose four-year service contract with DFSS will conclude on Dec. 31, 2025. DFSS is now working to support The Salvation Army's transition as its service contract comes to an end.

"DFSS is grateful to The Salvation Army for their four years of compassionate and dedicated service supporting Chicago's most vulnerable residents as operator of the CSITCR program," Commissioner Green said. "We wholeheartedly thank them for their partnership."

Throughout the transition, households in need of shelter can continue to call 311 to request assistance. Families can also go to the Emergency Homeless Assessment and Response Center (EHARC) to request a placement, located at 924 N. Christina Ave., while single adults can visit the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) located at 2241 S. Halsted St.

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