Renewable Energy-Supported
Housing and Opportunities For
Immigrants

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Amy Jurkowski, Matthew Nowlan,
Liesl Schrag, Aiden Sup

The Challenge
What is the Issue

Addressing housing stress, particularly as it relates to the current immigrant housingcrisis in Chicago.

Who is affected

Both first generation and asylum-seeking immigrants currently under housing stress.

Where is it

The locations affected by the crisis are throughout the country. Our proposal is
implementation of an experimental housing project in Chicago-area abandoned buildings.

Why Chicago?
Although our project is something that
could be implemented within manysettings, we decided to focus on one
particular location when developing ouridea. By choosing a specific place we
can get a more accurate idea of how
this project would function in a realsetting. We chose Chicago as thelocation for this project because of it’scurrent immigrant housing issue, large
access to resources and existing
programs, and it’s amount of abandonedbuildings. Moreover, larger cities
frequently struggle with significant
housing challenges. By developing
solutions within this context, our project
becomes scalable and could potentiallybe replicated in other regions facing
similar issues.

What are the facts?
As of Nov. 15th 2023, there are morethan 20,000 asylum seekers inChicago with 12,281 in 25 shelters
across the city, and more than 2,000
still awaiting placement.
60 day stay limit is being
implemented for migrants in city
shelters.
shelters.
In the City of Chicago from 2011 to2023, there have been 4,984 entries
for abandoned
abandoned building violations.
violations.
Illinois recently committed $160
million to addressing the housingcrisis in addition to the hundreds ofmillions already spent or committed.

Solutions
Provide large-scale buildings that can act as transitional housing for immigrant
populations
The utilization of the numerous abandoned spaces will reclaim and improve city
infrastructure
Create easily accessible job training and experience that’s incorporated into the housing
locations
Promote and teach sustainability by utilizing sustainable and green infrastructure in thebuildings
A positive, inclusive, and supportive community is established for all residents
Utilizing clean energy will promote sustainability within the community and larger cityarea

Implementation
Repurpose abandoned buildings in Chicago into housing
Some types of abandoned buildings that could be used are schools andhotels/motels
Each building holds many housing units
Units will differ in sizing to properly accommodate families and larger groups living
togetherTo save space and resources, communal kitchen areas will be put periodicallythroughout the building
Renewable energy sources and waste reduction methods will be built into thehousing
Solar panels and wind energy as main sources of renewable energy
Composting and food waste collection will be placed in kitchen/eating areas
Reusable/biodegradable household products and toiletries will be provided toresidents
Job experience and training included in the sustainable infrastructure
Residents will have the opportunity to gain skills relating to maintaining thesustainable infrastructure which can be used as experience for future jobs
Spaces in the buildings will be dedicated to culture and recreation
Flexible areas reserved for personal and recreational uses
Cultural expression will be encouraged and highlighted
Translations and translators will be provided to allow for open communication
Funding for this project will be sourced from several places
Carbon credits from Chicago-based institutions
Chicago Climate Infrastructure Grant under “Green Infrastructure”
Local non-profit organizations with significant donor bases
Spread awareness about the project to gain support and assistance within production
Communications with the mayor of the City of Chicago and its urban development
sectorContact professionals within urban development and renewable technologies
Get volunteers involved in production and maintaining the buildingsAchieving our SDGs
The main Sustainable Development Goal our project focuses on isGoal #11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. We then used ideas
from Goals #7, #8, and #9 to strengthen our concept.
SDG 11: Creating a community hub that encourages all forms ofsustainability.
SDG 7: Utilizing numerous forms of renewable energy to strive
towards net zero emissions.
SDG 8: Provided job training and active experience will boost
residents' resumes and provide relevant experience.
SDG 9: Reclaiming abandoned spaces for new and innovative
functions improves existing infrastructure.

Future Directions
We will be able to monitor the project’s progression by seeing decrease in the number ofunhoused immigrants in Chicago. Following the implementation of the project in Chicago,
here are some other ways the project could be further developed in the future.
Choosing a mid-sized city and seeing how this type of project could be implemented inother locations
Looking into other renewable energy sources
See if locations outside of a big city could better accommodate these alternatives
Have surplus of energy on-site that could be relocated to other places
Eventually have entirely clean energy and reach net zero carbon emissions
Provide transportation options through the housingOffer mental health support
Have small businesses built into the housing sites and see how mixed-use development
can work in this environment
Implement urban agriculture to provide fresh produce to residents and the surrounding
community

References“Climate Infrastructure Fund.” City of Chicago, www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/dpd-recoveryplan/home/climate-infrastructure-fund.html
Haeberle, Bennett, et al. “Johnson Says New Plan to Address Migrant Crisis Includes 60-Day Limiton Shelter Stays.” NBC Chicago, 16 Nov. 2023, www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/johnson-saysnew-plan-to-address-migrant-crisis-includes-60-day-limit-on-shelter-stays/3279652/
Harrington, Adam, et al. “Gov. Pritzker: City Has Not Moved Fast Enough to Provide More Shelter for
Migrants.” CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023, www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pritzker-160-millionmigrant-costs/
Kornec, Mateusz. “City of Chicago: Vacant & Abandoned Buildings Violations. Who Is ReallyLosing?” Medium, 23 May 2023, medium.com/@mkorne3/city-of-chicago-vacant-abandonedbuildings-violations-who-is-really-losing-ab32db2c39
McCabe, Annie, et al. “The Application of Renewable Energy to Social Housing: A SystematicReview.” Energy Policy, Elsevier, 4 Jan. 2018,www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030142151730856X