Services
Housing
Where families find safe housing, holistic care, and a community committed to their success.
Healthcare
Help open doors of opportunity to families experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
High Fidelity Wraparound
Primo implements a High Fidelity Wraparound, a nationally recognized model supporting children and families across housing, health and education. It is a structured, family-driven approach that brings together a team of professionals and natural supports to create and implement an individualized plan that helps the child and family achieve their goals across life domains.
Housing
We offer 3 types of housing
Interim Housing for families
Interim housing is short-term housing that provides a safe, stable place for families while they work toward a more permanent home. It offers support services—like case management, employment support, parent education, and counseling—to help residents get back on their feet and transition successfully to long-term housing. Supports families for 6–12 months, focusing on stability, school enrollment, and self-sufficiency.
Englewood Campus
6212 S. Sangamon Street
121 beds
mothers & children
Referrals: Primo receives referrals of mothers with children for interim housing from the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). Mothers with children wanting housing support should call 311.
Austin Campus
4952 W. Madison Street
209 beds
parents & children
Referrals: Primo receives referrals of families for interim shelter from the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). Families wanting housing support should call 311.
Permanent Supportive Housing for Families and Individuals
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) combines affordable housing with ongoing support services for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness or face barriers to stability. Residents can stay as long as they need while receiving help in case management, building life skills, and improving their overall well-being to reduce returns to homelessness.
Multiple locations
4231 West Division Street
Referrals: Primo receives referrals of families and individuals for PSH from Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). Families and individuals wanting housing support should call 311. Individuals can also go directly to the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) located at 2241 S. Halsted. It is the 24/7 intake point that connects individuals to shelter in Chicago.
Triage Housing & Diversion Services
Triage Housing & Diversion Services focuses on helping people avoid entering the shelter system whenever possible. Staff work quickly with single women in crisis to find safe, immediate alternatives—accessing short-term financial help, or connecting to community resources—so they can stay housed and stable. Primo provides up to 40 beds for fast-tracked housing placements, and tailored alternatives to shelter such as mediation, financial assistance, and reunification support. This service is currently only available for single women.
One Campus
6212 S. Sangamon Street
40 beds
Single women
Referrals: Primo receives referrals of single women from the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC). SPARC is located at 2241 S. Halsted and is the 24/7 intake point that connects individuals to shelter in Chicago. Individuals can also call 311 to request shelter.
DID YOU KNOW
In 2024, 425 individuals were referred to medical care, and 67 children received mental health services.
Healthcare
Primo Center integrates both physical and mental healthcare to ensure families receive holistic support. As part of Primo’s High Fidelity Wraparound services, this dual approach empowers parents and children to strengthen their overall wellness and long-term stability.
Integrated Healthcare
Primo Center coordinates a holistic approach that connects our human services teams with physical and mental healthcare providers to treat the whole person. The integration improves communication, efficiency, and family outcomes. The goal is to ensure that individuals receive comprehensive, seamless care that addresses all aspects of their well-being.
Healthcare Partners
On-site health services with Lawndale Christian Health Center and remote support from Heartland Alliance Health, Howard Brown Health and Rush University Medical Center (Englewood Campus) for screenings and primary care.
Special Beginnings®
In partnership with BlueCross BlueShield IL, Primo ensures its pregnant mothers receive prenatal care. Special Beginnings ® supports the health care a woman receives during pregnancy to monitor the baby’s development and support the mother’s well-being. Regular checkups, screenings, and education help prevent complications, promote healthy outcomes, and prepare families for a safe delivery.
Home Visiting
Primo Center provides holistic interventions for families moving into a new home. A home visiting coordinator helps establish healthy home practices They integrate safe housing with wraparound services—healthcare access, mental health support, maternal and early childhood programs, case management and employment assistance. By both targeting immediate stability and long-term family resilience, home visiting creates a foundation for lasting independence and stronger, healthier futures.
Trauma-Informed Care
Primo’s approach recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on individuals’ lives. It emphasizes understanding, compassion, and safety rather than punishment or judgment. Trauma-Informed Care is a strengths-based framework that acknowledges the widespread effects of trauma, recognizes its signs and symptoms, and integrates this understanding into policies, procedures, and practices to avoid re-traumatization and promote healing. At Primo, our approach includes…
- Offering Medicaid-certified behavioral health providers for therapy, psychiatric services, and supervision for case managers.
- Providing therapy, case management, and peer recovery coaching to address trauma, substance use, and emotional distress.
- Reducing symptoms of parental stress through wraparound services and mental health interventions.
- Promoting a Family Leadership Institute to empower parents with advocacy, leadership development, and tools to support long-term family stability.
"What I see at Primo is a community of families working and living together, and supporting one another."
Kristin
Chicago Hopes for Kids
Education
As part of its High Fidelity Wraparound approach, Primo Center provides comprehensive educational support for children and families experiencing homelessness. Our programs—such as Early Learning, Parents as Teachers, and Kids Connect—along with partnerships like Chicago HOPES for Kids, ensure that every child has access to quality learning experiences. These initiatives foster healthy physical activity, early literacy, and problem-solving skills that build cognitive development. At the same time, they strengthen parent–child relationships through parenting support, music therapy with Harmony, Hope & Healing, and engaging Mommy & Me sessions that nurture connection and joy in learning.
Early Childhood Development
Primo encompasses how young children explore, communicate, and build foundational abilities—such as language, problem-solving, and self-regulation—that prepare them for school and lifelong learning. High-quality early learning experiences support healthy brain development and help children reach key developmental milestones.
Parents as teachers
Parents as Teachers is a nationally recognized program that helps parents and caregivers nurture their child’s growth from pregnancy through kindergarten. Through home visits, developmental screenings, and family connections, trained parent educators offer practical guidance and support for each stage of early learning. The program focuses on strengthening parent–child relationships, promoting healthy development, and ensuring children are ready to thrive in school and life. At its heart, Parents As Teachers empowers families with the knowledge and tools to build a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Kids connect
In partnership with Catholic Charities and Heartland Alliance Health, Kids Connect supports families served at Primo and other shelters. This innovative program is youth-centric. A child, ages 6+, is paired with a coordinator for personalized guidance, ensuring their educational, social, and emotional needs are prioritized. The Kids Connect coordinator serves as a school advocate for stability while they are living in transitional housing. The personal connection helps them feel supported to stay connected and engaged in their school work. It also offers parents opportunities to connect through peer engagement and advocacy initiatives to support their family’s well-being.
After-School and Summer
For over a decade, Chicago HOPES for Kids has provided targeted educational support for children on the Englewood campus. This Primo partnership offers structured activities and academic support during non-school hours. Children experiencing homelessness are at risk of falling three to six months behind in school with every re-location. The Chicago HOPES team provides tutoring, enrichment activities, and nurturing encouragement to help children stay on track academically despite the challenges of unstable housing. They address both learning and emotional needs to better equip youth to build resilience and achieve long-term stability.
Primo Center’s reputation, in service to Chicago’s homeless population, has been the impetus to provide case management services for individuals in non-Primo shelters.
FUSE Initiative
Frequent User Service Engagement
- Supports individuals chronically homeless (3+ shelter experiences).
- Intensive case management works to stabilize families, provide trauma-informed care and promote harm reduction.
- Continues to monitor after placement in permanent housing for 3-6 months.