McLean County committee approves Home Sweet Home Ministries shelter village and funds crisis outreach advertising

The McLean County Executive Committee voted to approve awarding a request for proposals for a non‑congregate shelter project to Home Sweet Home Ministries and approved related advertising contracts to promote local crisis services.

Marina Landreth, presenting under the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, told the committee the department released the RFP as part of the Mental Health Action Plan’s 2025 strategic priorities and received a single proposal. Landreth said four independent evaluators and reference checks recommended moving forward with the Home Sweet Home submission; the committee approved the award and staff will bring a contract to the board for finalization in July.

Matt Burgess, CEO of Home Sweet Home Ministries, described the project as a 48‑unit shelter village the organization is calling "The Bridal," designed to provide temporary shelter plus on‑site behavioral health supports. "We have chosen to name this shelter village The Bridal, as as a nod both to its location… but also to indicate its purpose, and that's to be a bridge for people, coming inside to get out of homelessness and into a permanent housing arrangement," Burgess said.

Project specifics presented to the committee include: - 48 sleeping units: 40 single units and 8 double units for couples; larger end units are designated for doubles. - Individual sleeping units of about 80 square feet, furnished with a small bed, mini‑fridge and microwave, and basic storage. - A centralized clubhouse with five offices (three intended for partner agencies), common living space and limited on‑site cooking; a separate bathhouse with seven ADA‑compliant shower/restroom stalls; and a locked perimeter with controlled access. - On‑site, 24‑hour staffing with a minimum of two staff present at all times. - An off‑leash dog area and partnerships with the local humane society for animal care (including vaccinations). - Storage arrangements for residents’ belongings (95‑gallon rolling bins kept behind locked doors at Eastview Community Center) and on‑site deck lockers or similar storage features. - Laundry machines intended primarily to launder linens between occupants; partner facilities are being explored for residents’ personal laundry needs.

Burgess said the village’s model emphasizes reducing barriers to services: residents will not be required to be sober to access a sleeping unit but drug or alcohol use will not be permitted on the premises; staff will use on‑site behavioral health partners to connect residents to care. "We will not be permitting drug and alcohol use on the premises, but we will not be requiring sobriety as a condition of seeking our services," Burgess said.

Burgess and Landreth said the village will prioritize people identified as harder to engage in the current shelter system and estimated average stays of about three to six months based on program experience and local housing availability. They also said the project will not serve households with minor children.

Home Sweet Home listed a broad set of local service partners committed to recurring on‑site services, including Chestnut Health Systems; the Center for Human Services; the Center for Youth and Family Solutions; Project Oz; MidCentral Community Action; PATH; and The Salvation Army. Funding for operations is expected to be braided from multiple sources: county grant funds currently requested, corporate giving (including existing support from State Farm), local township support, state programs such as Home Illinois, HUD Continuum of Care funds, and other grants or donations.

As part of the same Behavioral Health Action Plan work, the committee approved several advertising contracts to raise awareness of crisis resources and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. Contracts approved included transit and wrap advertising with Hawk Transit Advertising (motions carried), a print contract with Panagraph Publishing/Lee Enterprises for $21,137, and a contract with Marcus Media Group for $25,760. Landreth said ads will be produced in English and Spanish and will highlight in‑person behavioral health urgent care and crisis resources such as 988.

The committee approved the RFP award by voice vote; Member Cline joined before the final tally and confirmed she voted in favor.