(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With the number of new arrivals coming into Chicago almost non-existent, the City is ending its separate response to the migrant crisis. Officials say it is all part of one system.
“The landing zone did close last night, December 19th, and today our new shelter placement and resource center, the SPARC, has opened,” said Maura McCauley, who will take over as interim Commissioner for Family and Support Services.
She says SPARC, the new facility on South Halsted Street will be the central access point for anyone needing housing and basic services.
Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de León says the City had all but completed the transition away from separate systems for migrants and the traditional homeless.
“We made a commitment with the state to work towards one unified shelter system that would give more equitable access to shelter for anyone experiencing homelessness, and we call that the one system initiative,” the deputy mayor said.
“Today we are here at the end of the initiative and launching, really, our unified shelter system.”