The Margarita Inn
One of our most significant and innovative programs is at the Margarita Inn.
Connections started operating at the Margarita in March 2020 after Governor Pritzker issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order due to the pandemic. This arrangement was initiated at the behest of the City of Evanston and was a catalyst to Connections, eventually sheltering more than 300 individuals at three different hotels throughout the city. Hotel-based shelter is a new, innovative model for providing shelter using Housing First principles.
In February of 2022, the City of Evanston requested that Connections clarify its operations at the Margarita, and in March of 2022 the City issued a zoning determination. In response to the City’s notice, we were directed to prepare and submit an application for a new Special Use Permit (SUP).
Where We Stand Now
Permit renewal is a two-step process. The first step was gaining a recommendation from the Land Use Commission. On November 30, we presented our case formally to the LUC at a public hearing. They recommended our special permit for approval in a 5-3 vote after almost 5 hours of public testimony and discussion and have sent their recommendation to the City Council for review and approval.
Although not a guarantee of a “yes” from City Council, the positive recommendation from the LUC makes all the difference. Thanks to our almost 200 supporters who showed up to the meeting and made your voices heard. Your support makes all the difference, and we couldn't have done it without you!
Next Steps
January 23rd: City Council Meeting: A generic, city-wide license ordinance for “shared housing” will be introduced.
Community representation is not necessary at this meeting.
February 13th: Planning and Development 5:00 PM, immediately followed by City Council Meeting: Planning and Development will discuss the Margarita operating agreement and will be introduced to our special use application (which contains the good neighbor agreement).
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
At City Council, we expect there to be action on the city-wide license ordinance (introduced on January 23rd), and if our special use packet passes out of P&D, it will also be introduced to the full City Council. The special use permit will include our proposed operating agreement and license application, as well as the GNA.
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
February 27th: Planning and Development, immediately followed by City Council Meeting: both P&D and City Council will vote (take action) on our SUP application and our operating agreement as part of our license.
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
Letters of Support
Did you send in a letter of support for the Land Use Commission hearing? Please take the time to revise it and send it in again to the City Council and/or your Alderman. The voice of our community is an essential part of this application – we saw how powerful our presence was at the LUC meeting. We need to show the same level of support to the City Council. Letters from supporters will help us tell our story through your words and experiences. Send your letter to Mayor Biss, Melissa Klotz, Zoning Administrator, and be sure to include Connections and the City leadership listed in the sample email below.
A typical letter would include the following:
Letters don’t have to be formal or on letterhead. Just write down your thoughts and email them to us at eullum@connect2home.org and to your city representative.
Sample Email:
Subject Line: Support of Connections at the Margarita Inn
To: dbiss@cityofevanston.org;
CC: ckelly@cityofevanston.org; kharris@cityofevanston.org; mwynne@cityofevanston.org;
jnieuwsma@cityofevanston.org; bburns@cityofevanston.org; tsuffredin@cityofevanston.org; erevelle@cityofevanston.org
dreid@cityofevanston.org; jgeracaris@cityofevanston.org; communications@connect2home.org
Dear Mayor Biss and Council Members,
My name is Peter Smith, and my family lives in the 4th ward.
I know that at the November LUC meeting, the special use permit was approved with a positive 5-3 recommendation to renew. Now it is up to the City Council to ensure Connections for the Homeless can continue to do their work at the Margarita.
I want to reiterate our support of the ongoing use of the Margarita Inn as a shelter for our neighbors who need their help.
We’ve lived in the city for 12 years, raising our wonderful children and dog. Our family has made bagged lunches for Connections since my kids were in Girl Scouts. We know that because of the pandemic, more people need help than ever before. Homelessness is growing across the country. Connections is our community’s solution to this problem.
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
Sincerely,
The Smith's
Connections started operating at the Margarita in March 2020 after Governor Pritzker issued a mandatory shelter-in-place order due to the pandemic. This arrangement was initiated at the behest of the City of Evanston and was a catalyst to Connections, eventually sheltering more than 300 individuals at three different hotels throughout the city. Hotel-based shelter is a new, innovative model for providing shelter using Housing First principles.
In February of 2022, the City of Evanston requested that Connections clarify its operations at the Margarita, and in March of 2022 the City issued a zoning determination. In response to the City’s notice, we were directed to prepare and submit an application for a new Special Use Permit (SUP).
Where We Stand Now
Permit renewal is a two-step process. The first step was gaining a recommendation from the Land Use Commission. On November 30, we presented our case formally to the LUC at a public hearing. They recommended our special permit for approval in a 5-3 vote after almost 5 hours of public testimony and discussion and have sent their recommendation to the City Council for review and approval.
Although not a guarantee of a “yes” from City Council, the positive recommendation from the LUC makes all the difference. Thanks to our almost 200 supporters who showed up to the meeting and made your voices heard. Your support makes all the difference, and we couldn't have done it without you!
Next Steps
January 23rd: City Council Meeting: A generic, city-wide license ordinance for “shared housing” will be introduced.
Community representation is not necessary at this meeting.
February 13th: Planning and Development 5:00 PM, immediately followed by City Council Meeting: Planning and Development will discuss the Margarita operating agreement and will be introduced to our special use application (which contains the good neighbor agreement).
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
At City Council, we expect there to be action on the city-wide license ordinance (introduced on January 23rd), and if our special use packet passes out of P&D, it will also be introduced to the full City Council. The special use permit will include our proposed operating agreement and license application, as well as the GNA.
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
February 27th: Planning and Development, immediately followed by City Council Meeting: both P&D and City Council will vote (take action) on our SUP application and our operating agreement as part of our license.
Community representation is encouraged, RSVP here.
Letters of Support
Did you send in a letter of support for the Land Use Commission hearing? Please take the time to revise it and send it in again to the City Council and/or your Alderman. The voice of our community is an essential part of this application – we saw how powerful our presence was at the LUC meeting. We need to show the same level of support to the City Council. Letters from supporters will help us tell our story through your words and experiences. Send your letter to Mayor Biss, Melissa Klotz, Zoning Administrator, and be sure to include Connections and the City leadership listed in the sample email below.
A typical letter would include the following:
- Where do you live in Evanston?
- For how long?
- How have you interacted with the Margarita?
- Why do you believe in our mission and in helping the homeless?
- Contact information for city officials can be found here.
Letters don’t have to be formal or on letterhead. Just write down your thoughts and email them to us at eullum@connect2home.org and to your city representative.
Sample Email:
Subject Line: Support of Connections at the Margarita Inn
To: dbiss@cityofevanston.org;
CC: ckelly@cityofevanston.org; kharris@cityofevanston.org; mwynne@cityofevanston.org;
jnieuwsma@cityofevanston.org; bburns@cityofevanston.org; tsuffredin@cityofevanston.org; erevelle@cityofevanston.org
dreid@cityofevanston.org; jgeracaris@cityofevanston.org; communications@connect2home.org
Dear Mayor Biss and Council Members,
My name is Peter Smith, and my family lives in the 4th ward.
I know that at the November LUC meeting, the special use permit was approved with a positive 5-3 recommendation to renew. Now it is up to the City Council to ensure Connections for the Homeless can continue to do their work at the Margarita.
I want to reiterate our support of the ongoing use of the Margarita Inn as a shelter for our neighbors who need their help.
We’ve lived in the city for 12 years, raising our wonderful children and dog. Our family has made bagged lunches for Connections since my kids were in Girl Scouts. We know that because of the pandemic, more people need help than ever before. Homelessness is growing across the country. Connections is our community’s solution to this problem.
Sincerely,
The Smith Family
Sincerely,
The Smith's
Questions?
Contact Nia Tavoularis at niat@connect2home.org
Contact Nia Tavoularis at niat@connect2home.org
additional resources
special use permit
in the news
- 03/22/22 From hotel to homeless shelter: A peek into the Margarita Inn in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/19/22 City: Hotel at Margarita not permitted in Evanston Now
- 03/18/22 Nonprofit to pursue permit needed in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/18/22 Connections for the Homeless Needs New Permit For Margarita Inn in Evanston Patch
- 03/17/22 Margarita Press Release
- 03/14/22 Emotional meeting about homeless housing at Margarita Inn draws hundreds in Evanston RoundTable
- 03/11/22 Connections for the Homeless Looks to Buy the Margarita Inn in The Patch
- 05/23/22 In Focus: As Connections for the Homeless looks to purchase the Margarita Inn, residents remain divided on the buildings future
- 09/12/22 Letter to the community: Support for the Margarita Inn in Evanston RoundTable
- 09/28/22 Connections for the Homeless files permit to continue operating Margarita Inn shelter in Evanston Roundtable
- 10/05/22 Margarita Pact with Neighbors in works in Evanston Now
- 11/30/22 What the Margarita Inn means to the residents who live there in Evanston RoundTable
- 12/01/22 LUC backs Margarita Inn special use in Evanston Now
- 12/01/22 Land Use Commission recommends Margarita Inn’s ‘special use’ status in Evanston RoundTable
