Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and the Centene Foundation have awarded a $2.2 million grant to Safer Foundation to purchase and renovate a 23-unit affordable housing building in Austin, expanding housing access to underserved community members and individuals returning from incarceration.
Mark Yates, Safer’s chief administrative officer, said the organization is excited to be part of the collaboration because it allows them to make an immediate impact in the Austin neighborhood. He explained that since its founding in 1972, the organization has focused primarily on employment, grounded in the belief that helping individuals secure jobs significantly reduces the likelihood of recidivism and noted that the organization has long been a leader in that work.
Yates said Safer has already acquired the building and is now in the renovation phase, carefully focusing on energy efficiency by upgrading systems like the boiler. Initial work has included cleaning the exterior and repairing security gates, while upcoming renovations will address structural repairs, roofing, electrical and HVAC systems, lead remediation and updates to kitchens, bathrooms, paint, flooring and appliances. Once complete later this year, the 23-unit building on Central Avenue will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with some specifically designated for justice-involved residents and graduates of Safer programs.
“As time went on, we began to realize that people need even more support, so we adopted a more holistic approach to reentry. When an individual comes to us, yes, they’re looking for a job, but they may also be facing food insecurity, so we established a food pantry called Safer Foods. Others may be dealing with substance abuse or mental health challenges, which led us to create a wellness counseling center to address those needs,” Yates said.
When Safer Foundation expanded its work, leaders recognized that many individuals with criminal records were struggling to secure housing, as landlords were often unwilling to rent to them despite professing support for second chances. That reality prompted the group to confront the housing insecurity their clients faced.
Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan of Illinois’s president, said the health insurer’s mission is to transform the health of the communities it serves one person at a time, with a particular focus on residents enrolled in government-sponsored programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage.
“When we think about what it takes to serve that population well, we know it’s about making sure they have access to the medical care they need, but also recognizing that they are disproportionately impacted by other circumstances that affect their health and wellness, which we typically refer to as the social determinants of health,” Gary said.
In response, they began investing directly in real estate, creating opportunities to provide stable housing for clients. With the support of the grant, the organization is now able to increase its housing inventory and offer more individuals seeking a fresh start a place to live.
“We look at water efficiency, lighting efficiency, and then we literally renovate all of the kitchens and bathrooms. We try to provide as much counter space and cabinet space as possible, which is especially important for someone who may have experienced food insecurity, giving them room to store food and a clean, comfortable place to live, relax, rest, rejuvenate, and recharge. These are the things many of us often take for granted,” Yates said.
1-a washroom before | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Apt GG water damage before | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Bedroom apt 2g before | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Old mail boxes | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Old stairs | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Old storage room | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Old washers and dryers | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Shower before | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Washroom before 2 | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Washroom before | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Water leak apt GE | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Water leak repair in progress | Courtesy of Safer Foundation
“Housing and security are key social determinants of health. If someone doesn’t have a place to live or is constantly worrying about whether they’ll have stable housing, it becomes much harder to focus on other priorities like seeing a doctor or getting preventive care,” Gary said.
Gary described Safer Foundation as a national leader with a long track record of serving justice-involved individuals through affordable and managed housing. She noted that the organization also provides wraparound services to support people transitioning from homelessness or incarceration as they reintegrate into the community.
1-a washroom after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
1-c after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Bedroom apt 2g after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Lower level hallway after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
New washers and dryers | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Washroom after 2 | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Shower after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Washroom after | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Lower level hallway | Courtesy of Safer Foundation 
Storage room in progress | Courtesy of Safer Foundation
“We’ve partnered with them in the past and we know they are a well-respected and successful organization in this space. They’ve proven to be a strong partner for us to work with,” Gary said.
Gary said that over the past few years, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, with support from its parent company the Centene Foundation, has focused on identifying key needs for the people it serves in Illinois, aligning those efforts with state priorities for the Medicaid population. She noted that housing, particularly for individuals re-entering the community from incarceration, has emerged as a critical area of focus.
