Yesterday, local officials and community partners held a beam raising ceremony at the Austin HOPE Center in Chicago. The event marked a key milestone in the construction of the new health and wellness facility, which will focus on providing pediatric and behavioral care to children in the Austin neighborhood. The center is expected to open next summer.
The Austin HOPE Center is one of the first projects funded by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development (HED) Bond. The bond aims to address health disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare services in neighborhoods that have experienced years of disinvestment.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said, "Correcting the health disparities which have plagued our communities is not just overdue—its an obligation we have to families across our city who’ve for too long been left without access to essential care. Critical investments like this are at the heart of my administration's work to repair historic injustices while ensuring neighborhoods like Austin have ready access to healthcare and other essential needs. The Austin HOPE Center will provide critical relief for families while ensuring the children of Austin receive the care they need—building a healthier, more resilient West Side."
In addition to pediatric services, the center will offer treatment for chronic conditions such as asthma and sickle cell disease, as well as mental health care and substance abuse support. Community wellness spaces within the facility will also provide on-site family support services.
The project received $5 million from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), using funds from Mayor Johnson’s HED Bond. The center is being built on Chicago Avenue in Austin, an area where city efforts are underway to improve infrastructure and streetscapes.
DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright stated, “Every Chicagoan deserves ready access to health and wellness resources. We are pleased to support a center that will bring world-class care to the heart of the Austin, reflecting our commitment to directing critical resources to communities that need it most.”
Further information about the development progress can be found at Block Club Chicago: https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/17/austin-hope-center-health-care-construction-west-side-chicago/.