Chicago leaders said Wednesday they will invest $40 million to improve seven shelters for those experiencing homelessness, a mission they said will improve health outcomes and create safer settings for a vulnerable population. [Health News Illinois]

The funding, a mix of federal and local funds, will allow the shelters to turn 350 beds into non-congregate settings, as well as move beds from areas with multiple residents to single-resident rooms.

More than 750 permanent shelter beds in Chicago will be affected by the improvements, which also include making them accessible to disabled individuals and updating some facilities with air conditioning.

“This investment is the most significant step forward in the history of Chicago in our mission to make housing a human right in our city,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “When it comes to building a safe and affordable city, housing and shelter must be prioritized to stabilize our residents who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessness.”

Five of the seven shelters are on the city’s west end.

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